Greensleeves History of

Subject: RE: Greensleeves History of
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 13 Jul 08 - 06:58 AM

"My understanding of the song has always been this:
- During that time period prostitutes (or whatever you want to call them) for the most part wore some form of green on their arms, to denote their trade perhaps."

Where have you seen that? First time I've heard of it. The lowest sort of prostitutes couldn't afford anything, they solicited in the alleys. I think that a poorly dressed woman flinging herself at you in the street screaming 'reasonable rates' is a better indicator than the color green, especially after dark.
Then there were brothels and high-quality prostitutes. They had better advertising methods as well.

"About the green sleeves, I'm fascinated that the explanation I got from my mother that it was high-ranking, high class women who wore green on their sleeves, and that the poor guy couldn't have her because he was just a lower class peasant. My mother was well known for revisionist history."

Then how could he afford to lavish her with gifts like that?

Subject: RE: Greensleeves History of
From: Gurney
Date: 13 Jul 08 - 06:27 PM

You are a lot of serious people! Why it should matter who wrote a song 400 years ago is beyond me.

My attitude is more summed up by Michael Flanders monologue about it, with Donald Swann's lovely piano in the background.

I do, however, like the idea of sleeves being separate garments. I suppose trouser-legs were, once, which is why we still speak of a 'pair' of trousers.

Must have been draughty.

Just being mischievous.

Subject: RE: Greensleeves History of
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 14 Jul 08 - 12:51 PM

Because some of us like to keep our history close to what can be veirified.

Subject: RE: Greensleeves History of
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 14 Jul 08 - 01:18 PM

The earliest references I recall seeing depicted the "Greensleeves" as "Camp Followers." Now, that could open a brand new "can" of dialogue. Were camp followers simply prostitutes or were they of a higher calling as they served both the physical and emotional needs of soldiers in the field? As I first heard the story, the green color was to keep them from being mistaken for combatants by either side; a commodity too precious to risk, you see.

Subject: RE: Greensleeves History of
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 14 Jul 08 - 02:13 PM

TJ, I read a lot about that sort of thing, first time I've heard of that. Sources, references?
They didn't wear uniforms, so not terribly hard to distinguish between a soldier and a laundry woman with a pack of brats!

Subject: RE: Greensleeves History of
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 14 Jul 08 - 05:25 PM

Volgadon:

Regretfully, my recollection is from a time nearly half a century ago, when I was a recent high school graduate hanging out in coffee houses. There were some postings in old "Sing Out" magazines of the time and I found some material in library research. I cannot independently recall the source material now. Food for thought, though. Somewhere, there is a researcher who knows all.

Subject: RE: Greensleeves History of
From: GUEST,Cms
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 03:12 AM

Many years ago when I was in grade school circa 1955, I became curious enough to look it up in Meriam- Webster. It defined Greensleeves as a grass stain that a male lover would get while propping himself on his elbows and fore arms. It also of course referred the reader to getting a green dress. If one assumes that this is metaphorical for someone who was sex smitten, then it adds some interesting interpretations to the lyrics. Interestingly when I went to look it up in later editions this meaning had vanished, but the term green dress lived on.

Subject: RE: Greensleeves History of
From: GUEST,sims2-3girlalot
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 05:45 PM

yes, it's Anne Boleyn's song.

Subject: RE: Greensleeves History of
From: GUEST,sims2-3girlalot
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 05:47 PM

yes It was done for Anne Boleyn.

Subject: RE: Greensleeves History of
From: LadyJean
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 06:37 PM

Henry VIII wrote songs. We know because we know about the songs, like Passtime With Good Company or Blow Thy Horn Hunter. It's doubtful that one of his songs would be published without his byline.

Subject: RE: Greensleeves History of
From: meself
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 06:43 PM

Well, that settles it, then!

Subject: RE: Greensleeves History of
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 01:15 AM

I've said this before, so forgive me.

There is an Irish (and probably a Scottish) Gaelic word 'sliebh' which is pronounced like 'sleeve' and means 'mountain.'

I'm sure this song was written by someone Irish or Scottish, perhaps a harper, and the original title had that Gaelic word in it.

It is no surprise to me that this beautiful melody from an oppressed culture was quickly trashed by being linked to prostitution. "That's what they do."

Subject: RE: Greensleeves History of
From: meself
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 01:35 AM

(My post was in response to the one that preceded Lady Jean's ... ).

Subject: RE: Greensleeves History of
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 04:05 AM

You can say it again but I think Volgadon has definitively proved that it's about Belgian cheese.