Greensleeves
Steff Picard Lyrics
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To cast me off discourteously.
For I have loved you well and long,
Delighting in your company.
Greensleeves was all my joy
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
And who but my lady greensleeves.
But still thou hadst it readily.
Thy music still to play and sing;
And yet thou wouldst not love me.
Ah, Greensleeves, now farewell, adieu,
To God I pray to prosper thee,
For I am still thy lover true,
Come once again and love me.
In Steff Picard's Greensleeves, the lyrics express a sense of love and loss, as the singer laments being cast aside by a loved one who they have loved for a long time. The lyrics open with the singer accusing their love of being discourteous for casting them off. Despite having loved the person for a long time and enjoying their company, the singer has been left heartbroken. The mention of "greensleeves" throughout the song serves as a symbol for the love that the singer has lost. The line "Greensleeves was my heart of gold" emphasizes the importance of this love to the singer.
The following verses describe the loved one's character as one who desires nothing on earth yet readily has everything. The person is talented in music, yet unwilling to reciprocate the love that the singer has shown them. The song concludes on a somber note with the singer bidding goodbye to their love, affirming their continued love, and hoping that they would return once again to love them.
Line by Line Meaning
Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
Oh no, my love, you are treating me unfairly,
To cast me off discourteously.
By rejecting me rudely and without kindness.
For I have loved you well and long,
I have cherished you deeply and for a long time,
Delighting in your company.
I have been happiest in your presence.
Greensleeves was all my joy
The beautiful tune of Greensleeves was my greatest pleasure
Greensleeves was my delight,
The melody brought me great happiness
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
The song was precious to me, like a treasure
And who but my lady greensleeves.
She alone was the inspiration for Greensleeves
Thou couldst desire no earthly thing,
There was nothing in this world that you wanted more,
But still thou hadst it readily.
Yet you still easily possessed what you desired,
Thy music still to play and sing;
You could still create and perform beautiful music,
And yet thou wouldst not love me.
But you would not return my feelings of love.
Ah, Greensleeves, now farewell, adieu,
Ah, Greensleeves, now I must say goodbye and farewell,
To God I pray to prosper thee,
I pray to God for your happiness and prosperity,
For I am still thy lover true,
Because I am still your devoted lover,
Come once again and love me.
Please return to me and show me your love.
Writer(s): Mark Cousins, Adam Saunders, Christopher Mark Salt
Contributed by Layla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.