Henry VIII & Hans Holbein project

GREENSLEEVES

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Paula Bär-Giese soprano

Hans Meijer lute

Alas, my love, you do me wrong

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

 

Your vows you’ve broken, like my heart

Oh, why did you so enrapture me

Now I remain in a world apart

But my heart remains in captivity

 

Greensleeves was all my joy

Greensleeves was my delight

Greensleeves was my heart of gold

And who but my lady Greensleeves.

 

I have been ready at your hand,

To grant whatever you would crave,

I have both wagered life and land,

Your love and good-will for to have.

 

Greensleeves was all my joy

Greensleeves was my delight

Greensleeves was my heart of gold

And who but my lady Greensleeves.

If you intend thus to disdain,

It does the more enrapture me,

And even so, I still remain

A lover in captivity.

Greensleeves was all my joy

Greensleeves was my delight

Greensleeves was my heart of gold

And who but my lady Greensleeves.

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.

Greensleeves was all my joy

Greensleeves was my delight

Greensleeves was my heart of gold

And who but my lady Greensleeves.

Henry VIII. to Anne Boleyn.1

[ 1527? ]

      Darling,

                     Though I have scant leisure, yet, remembering my promise, I thought it convenient to certify you briefly in what case our affairs stand.  As touching a lodging for you, we have got one by my lord cardinal's means, the like or hire of which could not have been found hereabouts for all causes, as this bearer shall more show you.  As touching our other affairs, I assure you there can be no more done, nor more diligence used, nor all manner of dangers both foreseen and provided for, so that I trust it shall be hereafter to both our comforts, the specialties whereof were both too long to be written, and hardly by messenger to be declared.  Wherefore, till your repair hither, I keep something in store, trusting it shall not be long to; for I have caused my lord, your father, to make his provisions with speed; and thus, for lack of time, darling, I make an end of my letter, written with the hand of him which I would were yours.   

H.R.

Love letter of King Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn