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periwimkle |
Greensleeves
Aug 18 2010, 11:32 AM EDT
| Post edited: Aug 18 2010, 11:33 AM EDT
Okay I have a question for all you Tudor experts.......Who really did write the song Greensleeves? This is a question that I have had for a long time. I`ve researched it and find equal claims that he did and he didn`t. Can anyone clear this up for me? Mange tusen takk
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MsSquirrly |
1. RE: Greensleeves
Aug 18 2010, 11:55 AM EDT
| Post edited: Aug 18 2010, 12:04 PM EDT
From what I have read, the majority of musical opinion is that it is based on an Italian style of composition which did not reach England until after Henry's death so it is thought to be Elizabethan. But who exactly wrote it, is still a mystery.http://tudorswiki.sho.com/page/MUSIC+of+Henry+VIII PS. periwimkle are you Norwegian? Do you find this valuable? |
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periwimkle |
2. RE: Greensleeves
Aug 18 2010, 2:04 PM EDT
In fact I`m 100% Nowegian in heritage, but I`m 100 % American. I`ve also hosted 3 Nowegian foreign exchange students and have been to visit them many times. We went to one of the girl`s weddings in Sandefjord which was held in a 300 year old church. Absoluyely amazing.
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periwimkle |
3. RE: Greensleeves
Aug 18 2010, 5:59 PM EDT
"Okay I have a question for all you Tudor experts.......Who really did write the song Greensleeves? This is a question that I have had for a long time. I`ve researched it and find equal claims that he did and he didn`t. Can anyone clear this up for me? Mange tusen takk"I`m putting this out again so I can get some more opinions. Do you find this valuable? |
royalfalcon |
4. RE: Greensleeves
Aug 18 2010, 7:02 PM EDT
| Post edited: Aug 18 2010, 7:03 PM EDT
As MsSquirrly has stated it is thought that the song was based on an Italian style that did not reach England until after Henry's death. It was at one time thought to have been written by Henry for Anne Boleyn because some of the words seemed to fit "to cast me off discourteously" could have referred to the fact that Anne held off Henry's advances. It was also thought to have been written about a lady of dubious virtues i.e the greensleves could have been referring to grass stains acquired from making love outdoors.I think that this theory has now also been discounted. I think it origins are still something of a mystery.
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periwimkle |
5. RE: Greensleeves
Aug 18 2010, 9:34 PM EDT
I found this statement on the internet, can`t remember where, but it states: "Henry VIII did write Greensleeves and there`s proof. The original sheet music was found in his possesions during his lifetime that had been dated when he was alive. It was signed by him".I`m not sure if I believe this, because I`ve never heard this before. What a mystery! 0 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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MsSquirrly |
6. RE: Greensleeves
Aug 18 2010, 10:45 PM EDT
| Post edited: Aug 18 2010, 11:28 PM EDT
Luminarium encyclopedia says : "Popular legend has it that "Greensleeves" was composed by King Henry VIII at the time of his wooing of Anne Boleyn. The song was entered into the Stationer's Register so late as 1580 [33 years after Henry's death] , as "a New Northern Dittye of the Lady Greensleeves", and was first printed in A Handful of Pleasant Delights in 1584. Its attribution to King Henry VIII is highly doubtful, though not disproved" http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/greensleeves.htm Alison Weir's "Henry VIII: the King and his Court" Page 131 says : " The King was also a 'fair' composer. 33 of his compositions comprising 13 instrumental pieces and 23 or 4 part popular songs such as 'Pastime with Good Company', 'Green groweth the holly', Alas What Shall I do for Love' and 'Whereto Should I express my Inward Heaviness?' were collated in the so-called Henry VIII Manuscript, where each is inscribed (not in Henry's hand, but probably one of his gentlemen), "The King. H.VIII". .... She goes on to mention other songs which were erroneously thought to be composed by Henry and then says " Nor did Henry write "Greensleeves" which is probably Elizabethan in origin". Her source is a book by David Starkey called "Henry VIII: A European Court in England", which I don't own or I would look up what the primary source was that he used. PS. I have been to Denmark and Sweden several times but not Norway. Scandinavian culture is quite fascinating. :) Do you find this valuable? |
