HANS HOLBEIN PROJECT

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"Greensleeves" is a traditional English folk song and tune, basically a ground of the form called a romanesca.

A widely-believed (but completely unproven) legend is that it was composed by King Henry VIII of England (1491-1547) for his lover and future queen consort Anne Boleyn. Anne, the youngest daughter of Thomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire, rejected Henry's attempts to seduce her. This rejection is apparently referred to in the song, when the writer's love "cast me off discourteously." It is not known if the legend is true, but the song is still commonly associated with Boleyn in the public mind.

The tune is found in several late 16th century and early 17th century sources, such as Ballet's MS Lute Book and Het Luitboek van Thysius, as well as various manuscripts preserved in the Cambridge University libraries.

Anne Boleyn ?

Holbein

Anne Boleyn ?

Holbein

King Henry VIII of England (1491-1547)

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.

Hans Holbein (1497/8--1543) was the first great British artist, and is regarded as one of the greatest artists of all time. He moved to England from Basel in 1526--8 and then again in 1532--43, an extremely turbulent time in English history when all around were losing their heads. His arrival effectively brought the Renaissance in painting from continental Europe to Britain. This major exhibition, which includes numerous remarkable loans from around the world, concentrates on the work Holbein produced in England under the patronage of the Tudor court and for King Henry VIII. Through an outstanding collection of paintings brought together from around the world, this exhibition documents the thrill of the court and life in Tudor England, reflecting the unsettled history and politics of the time.

Hans Holbein slideshow & Greensleeves QuickTime audio