| GREENSLEEVES | |
| From a Manuscript Book, dated 1838 | |
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Other copies which have deplorably lost much of the purity of the original are to be seen in D’Urfey’s Wit and Mirth, The Beggar’s Opera and other early eighteenth century publications. This is from an edition of The Dancing Master, dated 1716:
| GREENSLEEVES AND YELLOW LACE | |
| Printed 1716 | |
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We may trace a curious corruption in the tune as found in traditional usage in Ireland nearly eighty years ago. Thomas Moore employed this traditional version for his song, “Oh, could we do with this world of ours,” and published it united to his verses in his Irish Melodies, the tenth number dated 1834. He gives the tune the name of “[The Basket of Oysters].” The real tune which went by this title, otherwise known as “[Paddy the Weaver],” is to be seen in Aird’s Selection of Scotch, English, Irish and Foreign Airs, vol. iii., Glasgow [1788], and elsewhere. It will be noticed that Moore’s tune is “[Greensleeves],” to which is joined a part of “[Paddy the Weaver].” It is a notable example of the manner in which traditional tunes suffer change from imperfect remembrances or other causes.
| THE BASKET OF OYSTERS | |
| Greensleeves, Irish Version, 1834 | |
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