My Lady Greensleeves portrait by Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
http://www.paintingall.com/product.php?productid=10624
In The Merry Wives of Windsor, Shakespeare refers to a song called Greensleeves. This familiar tune, already popular by Shakespeare's time, has an intricate and perplexing history. The melody was originally a popular dance at weddings, etc. The title could have been derived from the 1500's in England in a text, A New Courtly Sonnet of the Lady Greensleeves.
However, the melody of Greensleeves easily accommodates itself to new words and I expect you know of this. Over the centuries, many new lyrics have been written: TheBlacksmith, by John Gay; A New Year's Carol; What Child is This?, a Christmas Carol; orchestral arrangements including Ralph Vaughan Williams' orchestration in Sir John in Love, based on The Merry Wives of Windsor. And so we have come full circle. 
Green Sleeves suggests "lightness in love" from Chaucer to Shakespeare. Some argue that grass stains are green and suggest easy virtue. Others argue that a dress with green sleeves is of the Spring and yet others that both or neither apply to the lady.
As late as 2006 in South Africa, this appeared in Johannesburg:
"Greensleeves has entertained well over a million visitors from all over the world! Come and thrill to the songs, stories, and rollicking bawdy fun of the Baron and his Minstrels and join in the choruses. 
You’ll be addressed as Milord and Milady, entertained right royally. Call “Wench!” - the helpings are splendid and served with great ceremony - mouth-watering fare - all brought by Wenches and Lackeys in period costume, with a flourish of trumpets."
A doubtful source is Henry VIII and the attempted seduced one, Anne Boleyn.
Greensleeves
(poss. Henry VIII of England, 1500's.)
"Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously.
For I have loved you well and long,
Delighting in your company.
Chorus:
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.
chorus
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.
chorus
If you intend thus to disdain,
It does the more enrapture me,
And even so, I still remain
A lover in captivity.
chorus
My men were clothed all in green,
And they did ever wait on thee;
All this was gallant to be seen,
And yet thou wouldst not love me.
chorus
Thou couldst desire no earthly thing,
but still thou hadst it readily.
Thy music still to play and sing;
And yet thou wouldst not love me.
chorus
Well, I will pray to God on high,
that thou my constancy mayst see,
And that yet once before I die,
Thou wilt vouchsafe to love me.
chorus
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.
chorus
@courting
recorded by Deller Consort on Best Loved Songs
also Dyer-Bennett
(DT of April 1996) http://www.uidaho.edu/student_orgs/arthurian_legend/game/music/
YOUR JOB:
WRITE A LYRIC BASED ON THE STYLE OF THE ONE ABOVE BUT SET IN YOUR OWN
REGION AND WITH LANGUAGE OF 2008! ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE A CHORUS
AND IT CAN BE SUNG PERFECTLY TO THE TUNE. WHAT IS NOT WANTED FROM YOU IS
AN UP-TO-DATE TRANSLATION. WHAT IS REQUIRED IS A NEW OR FRESH LYRIC OF LOVE THAT SUITS THE TUNE AND THE LIGHTNESS WITH PASSION OF MUCH MODERN, YOUNG LOVE.
2. Please, no sticky caps.
3. No cutting, suicide, or self-mutilation.
4. No erotica, tastefully sensual is fine as long as it fits the subject matter.
5. Please left align unless your poem specifically calls for a different format.
6. If you post an image with your poem, please be sure to credit the artist.
7. Step out of the box and learn.
OK - off you go now. Remember, it's ALL about the poetry. Have Fun, Write, Express,
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on August 19
- Rewards: Gold: 3000
- Final notes: How delightful to hum this tune to these wonderful lyrics, all quite different in nature and thought. Such a refreshing contest.
Our gold winner held the tune beautifully with lyric and sang of faith and praise in simple and richly gifted words. They are filled with wonderful expression of emotion.
Congratulations to our winner and to you all for your beautiful contributions.
Contest Winners
Gold trophy winner
Entries [4]
-
Come, pluck my strings
to a happy tune• Commented on by judge. -
This day is done with the setting sun
And the moon calls shadows you’re bound to;• Commented on by judge. -
Verse 1
How beautifulby Lady Altheia 49 lines, 7 comments, on Jul 23 2:50 AM• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
-
Rossetti - one of my favorite artists. This should be a good contest.
-
Hi, lovely idea, Di
-
AN UP-TO-DATE TRANSLATION. WHAT IS REQUIRED IS A NEW OR FRESH LYRIC OF LOVE THAT SUITS THE TUNE AND THE LIGHTNESS WITH PASSION OF MUCH MODERN, YOUNG LOVE.
1. Proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation will matter.
Here now we have a contradiction; how are the younger ones expected to use real words ffs.
A lovely idea that perhaps could do with a bit of leniency when it comes to judging.
-
When will this get judged? Just wondering.
Adding your comment:
