Greensleeves on viola da gamba outside in the west of Ireland

First written down in 1580, Greensleeves was given Christmas lyrics the following century. Here played on an instrument popular at the time, the viola da gamba.

Greensleeves" is a traditional English folk song. A broadside ballad by the name "A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleves" was registered by Richard Jones at the London Stationer's Company in September 1580

Here I play a 7 string bass viol or viola da gamba. Viols most commonly have six strings, although many 16th-century instruments had only four or five strings. Viols were (and are) strung with gut strings of lower tension than on the members of the violin family.[citation needed] Gut strings produce a sonority far different from steel, generally described as softer and sweeter. Around 1660, gut or silk core strings overspun with copper wire first became available; these were then used for the lowest-pitched bass strings on viols, and on many other string instruments as well.

Viols are fretted in a manner similar to early guitars or lutes, by means of movable wrapped-around and tied-on gut frets. A low seventh string was supposedly added in France to the bass viol by Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe (c. 1640–1690), whose students included the French gamba virtuoso and composer Marin Marais. Also, the painting Saint Cecilia with an Angel (1618) by Domenichino (1581–1641) shows what may be a seven-string viol.

Unlike members of the violin family, which are tuned in fifths, viols are usually tuned in fourths with a major third in the middle, mirroring the tuning employed on the vihuela de mano and lute during the 16th century and similar to that of the modern six-string guitar.

[nikkichicotel]

This was the music for my entrance to our wedding ceremony 30 years ago. Always loved it.

[DamienDubois]

Good job my friend...Kiss from France.

[thoughtfox]

Beautiful use of the range of the instrument

[melindapruss]

I love this song. You’re beautiful scenery must inspire you.

[rockpooladmirer]

awesome! I first learned of this instrument and saw played it in person at a folk music gig in my city recently, and as a folk music lover and longtime cello player, I was entranced! this was a wonderful version of Greensleeves, thank you for sharing!

[hellomate]

So, "Over the Misty Mountains" in The Hobbit is supposed to have two big Viols.

This is some good inspiration as I am writing my own version of the song.

Good stuff, thank you.

[zuccacello]

Amazing you have even a Viola da gamba?
As always very beautiful playing

[baroquer]

Speaking about the Irish weather, it is a heaven for gamba strings xD

[The_IRL_Bard]

Wow youve got a very nice sound with the Viola da Gamba! I really liked it

[frackiewicz]

I can't believe I missed this when you first posted it! I am also a cellist who has a love/hate relationship with the VdG. I have a rental and I struggle to get a good sound on it - the high D string is always so squeaky! Is this a particular arrangement of Greensleeves, or did you write it yourself?

[javifuentesmusic]

Hello, I am a musician who plays the viola da gamba, I studied at Esmuc in Barcelona, ​​and I want to move to work and live on the viola there in Ireland. I would like to be able to talk to you a little and tell me your impressions. Would it be possible to contact you in some way? Thank you

[joshduffy]

hey bud,
whats the transition like between this and the cello ?

[OhhKikka]

You must’ve been dancing barefoot in the meadows to this one that night you left, Mom. Keep dancing and playing in peace with your loveliest legs and prettiest tootsies, Sweetest Mother of mine- 4/4/42~12/3/2020

[twokoolskool]

What does it sound like without all the post processing effects?

[AndreaJobPicanello]

Come fa il suono ad avere quell'eco se sei all'aperto? È evidente che c'è qualche trucco dietro, o forse non sei neanche tu a suonare...

[cinnamon_biscuit]

The weird thing about this song is that it sounds like an ancient Christian Hymn but it’s actually about…people doing “things”