Greensleeves chords & tab
Traditional · 16th c.
Verse 1
Alas, my love, you do me wrong
To cast me off discourteously
For I have loved you oh so 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
Guitar Tab
Key of Am, standard tuning. Read the high e string at the top.
Melody pickup + first phrase (Am): e|-------------------0---1---0-----| B|-----------1---------------------| G|---0---2-------------------2-----| D|---------------------------------| A|---------------------------------| E|---------------------------------|
About this song
An English tune dating to the 1500s, built on the Renaissance 'passamezzo antico' progression. The 6/8 lilt and chord movement reward careful fingerstyle and dynamics.
How to play it: Rolling 6/8 fingerstyle. Arpeggiate each chord; the melody note usually lands on the top string.
Lead: A minor / A harmonic minor (A B C D E F G#). The lift to G# over the E chord is the signature move — that raised 7th gives it the old-world flavour.
Chord Diagrams
No capoAm
Chord Info
- Notes
- A – C – E
- Intervals
- 1 – ♭3 – 5
- Fingers
- 123
- Difficulty
- Easy
Strumming Pattern
- ↓1
- ·&
- ↑2
- ↓&
- ·3
- ↑&
Rolling 6/8 fingerstyle. Arpeggiate each chord; the melody note usually lands on the top string.
Play with Beats
Fretboard View
Am as you fret it in open position.