Greensleeves vs. What Child is This – The Tale of 2 Songs – SLS

This week for Song Lyric Sunday, Jim Adams has prompted us with songs dealing with Christmas/Holiday/Snowman in the title or in the song.

Bet you thought I was going to give you more Elvis. I have to admit, I thought about it.

Frank & I picked up my brother-in-law from the airport yesterday and one of the topics that came up was “Greensleeves” and how I loved playing it in band my freshman year in High School. I sat first chair in the French Horn Section. I loved the tone & power it gave me to play such a beautiful song. My brother-in-law is a master pianist and music teacher. Once we got home from all our errands, I turned on the TV and Faith Hill was belting out “What Child is This“. The conversation from earlier with my brother-in-law and hubby, plus being blessed with Faith Hill seemed like a sign and became my inspiration for today.

Yesterday was the birthday of my granddaughter, Aniya who would have been 11. Aniya passed away 34 days after she was born, and I think my angels of Aniya, my mom and my grandmother were channelling me to do this particular pair of songs. More on the Christmas carol than the original, of course.

For many years, I only knew the tune to be Greensleeves. As I got older and heard versions of “What Child is This”, I quickly recognized the tune and thought someone got it wrong. The words were not the same, but the melody certainly was. Back then, we didn’t have the internet to get answers quickly and for me to read a history book just wasn’t going to happen.

“Greensleeves”

“Greensleeves” is a traditional English folk song that was registered by Richard Jones at the London Stationer’s Company in September 1580. It was registered as “A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Green Sleeves”. Wow, that’s a mouthful. It was composed anonymously, but one of the claims is that Henry VIII wrote it for Anne Boleyn. Allegedly, Lady Greensleeves was a loose woman and the song came from Irish origins. She supposedly rejected the King when he began pursuing her in 1526. She caved at some point since she became the Queen of England and Henry VIII’s second wife in 1533. She was beheaded on May 19, 1536.

Alas my love you do me wrong
To cast me off discourteously;
And I have loved you oh so long
Delighting in your company.
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves my heart of gold
Greensleeves was my heart of joy
And who but my lady Greensleeves.
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.
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves my heart of gold
Greensleeves was my heart of joy
And who but my lady Greensleeves.
Thy petticoat of slender white
With gold embroidered gorgeously;
Thy petticoat of silk and white
And these I bought gladly.
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves my heart of gold
Greensleeves was my heart of joy
And who but my lady Greensleeves.

What Child is this
Who laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come Peasant, King to own Him
The King of Kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Oh, raise, raise a song on high,
His mother sings her lullaby.
Joy, oh joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe,
The Son,
Of Mary.
What Child
Is this
Who laid
To rest
On Mary's lap
On Mary's lap
He is sleeping
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe,
The Son,
Of Mary
The Babe, the Son of Mary
The Son of Mary