Who wrote the song GreenSleeves?

Question

my little brother wants to know. :-) i dont know why.

Answer 1

It is one of my favorites....

I whistle it all the time.





g-day!

Answer 2

Greensleeves is a traditional English ballad written by an unknown composer. There is a legend that King Henry VIII wrote Greensleeves about Anne Boleyn. This is not likely, however, because the song is written in a style which was not known in England until after Henry VIII died.

The earliest known mention of Greensleeves occurred in September 1580, when a printer named Richard Jones had licensed to him "A new Northern Dittye of the Lady Greene Sleeves". On that same day, printer Edward White also had a license for "A ballad, being the Ladie Greene Sleeves Answere to Donkyn his frende".

Thus began a back and forth struggle between the printers for the rights to this beautiful melody, with various versions being published. It was not until 1584 that Jones printed his final version, which is the one we know today.

Answer 3

I don't think we know who wrote the music as it is an old traditional English ballad.

There is a legend that King Henry VIII wrote Greensleeves about Anne Boleyn. This is not likely, however, because the song is written in a style which was not known in England until after Henry VIII died.

The earliest known mention of Greensleeves occurred in September 1580, when a printer named Richard Jones had licensed to him "A new Northern Dittye of the Lady Greene Sleeves". On that same day, printer Edward White also had a license for "A ballad, being the Ladie Greene Sleeves Answere to Donkyn his frende".

Thus began a back and forth struggle between the printers for the rights to this beautiful melody, with various versions being published. It was not until 1584 that Jones printed his final version, which is the one we know today.

Answer 4

"There is a long standing debate over whether England's King Henry VIII did, in fact, write "Greensleeves," one of the most celebrated, and certainly most frequently performed, love songs ever written. It's doubtful whether we can ever know for sure. This much we do know: Henry VIII was well educated and thought of himself as quite the Renaissance man. He played several instruments including organ, harp, and virginals, so he certainly could have picked out the melody. We have a love letter written by him to Anne Boleyn which displays an eloquence (and impatience) that leads one to believe he could have written the song's lyrics. Lines from this letter such as "struck by the dart of love" sound a bit trite, but it shows he probably knew a decent metaphor when he heard one. Most likely the tune already existed and Henry simply added his own lyrics since this was a perfectly acceptable practice in those days."

"Greensleeves & Love Songs of the Renaissance" : http://www.soundexp.com/history.html

Answer 5

Greensleeves was written by an unknown author. This style of music did not appear in England until after the death of Henry VIII.

Answer 6

Greensleeves is an old English song from before Shakespeare's time.

Answer 7

We'll probably never know the real author, but for centuries the popular answer was King Henry the Eighth of England himself.
http://www.icons.org.uk/nom/nominations/greensleeves

Answer 8

I can't be the only dork who loves that song!
Lots of people wrongly believe it was King Henry VIII of England, but that's impossible. No one knows who DID write it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greensleeves

Answer 9

Some say it was King Henry #8. Although in our time, it was a person named Trad (according to one site), who little is known about. Who knows for sure, he/she wasn't a cad?

Greensleeves
by
Lorenna McKennitt

Alas my love you do me wrong
To cast me off discourteously;
And I have loved you oh so long
Delighting in your company.

Green sleeves was my delight,
Green sleeves my heart of gold
Green sleeves was my heart of joy
And who but my lady green sleeves.

I have been ready at your hand
To grant whatever thou would'st crave;
I have waged both life and land
Your love and goodwill for to have.

Thy petticoat of sendle white
With gold embroidered gorgeously;
Thy petticoat of silk and white
And these I bought gladly.

Answer 10

Legend has it that Henry VIII wrote it for Anne Boleyn during their courtship (circa 1530). This has never been substantiated and is probably not true.

Other than that, nobody knows.

Answer 11

People say king henry 8 but there is a great remake by Meav Mi Mhaolchatha and on itunes there are a lot of versions!