Christmas songs for guitar--Greensleeves
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GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH Your classical guitar lesson |
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We have a Printer Friendlier (PDF) version of this article on Christmas guitar music
and Douglas Niedt's classical guitar arrangement of the Christmas carol, Greensleeves
it from the computer screen.
and Douglas Niedt's classical guitar arrangement of the Christmas carol, Greensleeves
it from the computer screen.
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For my December technique tip, I always enjoy giving you a little Christmas gift. This year it is a
classical guitar arrangement of that wonderful Christmas song, Greensleeves (What Child Is
This?). It will be fun to learn now during the Christmas season.
This Christmas arrangement for classical guitar is based on one by Jorge Morel, one of my
former teachers. It is an intermediate level arrangement (in standard notation and as a
Christmas guitar tab) so I hope it won't be too much of a struggle to learn by Christmas. Unlike
some easy arrangements, I think this one has some nice harmonizations. (Incidentally, this is
not the arrangement I play on my Christmas CD, In Heavenly Peace.)
- Listen to me play it. You can save this to your computer. It's free Christmas music!
I have also included a performance/practice version with notes on how to play and practice this
timeless Christmas song classic.
Greensleeves (What Child Is This?) Traditional Words by William Dix
What Child Is This? is a Christmas song with religious lyrics set to the secular melody,
Greensleeves. The text of “What Child Is This” was written by Englishman William Chatterton
Dix in 1865. At the age of twenty-nine, he was stricken with a sudden near-fatal illness and
confined to bed for many months. He suffered deep depression, and as he lay near death,
often reflected on his faith. Reading his Bible and studying the work of respected theologians,
Dix reaffirmed his belief in not only Christ as Savior, but in the power of God to change his own
life.
Not long after regaining his strength, an inspired Dix wrote some of the greatest hymns ever
written by a layman. His Christmas work, entitled The Manger Throne, quickly emerged as his
most memorable opus. Dix’s inspired words are recognized as some of the most concise and
effective ever used in a hymn. The poem was used in church services and printed in
magazines and newspapers in England and America. But it wasn’t until English composer and
organist Sir John Stainer coupled Dix’s words with the melody “Greensleeves” that the carol
became immensely popular on both sides of the Atlantic.
The melody “Greensleeves” is impossible to date. It has appeared in many different versions
with many different harmonizations, a few of which are presented here in this arrangement. It
has also had many different sets of lyrics, most of which were not at all religious. One version
describes the lament of a jilted lover, while others are downright bawdy. As with many other
carols, the marriage of traditional music and sacred words came late. With the lyrics of William
Dix, “Greensleeves” had, at last, become respectable.
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Dix’s powerful words presented a unique view of the birth of Christ. While the baby was the
focal point of the song, the viewpoint of the writer seemed to be that of an almost confused
observer. In a stroke of brilliance, Dix imagined visitors to the humble manger wondering who
the child was that lay before them. We can almost hear the question being asked from one to
another as they gazed upon the child. How difficult it must have been for them to understand
that the Babe who lay “in such mean estate” was truly the long-awaited Messiah. How forcefully
the triumphant answer to the carol’s question bursts forth in the refrain—“This, this is Christ
the King.”
1. The classical guitar arrangement in standard notation and as a Christmas guitar tab.
2. Annotated performance/practice version. I have made notations of how to execute certain
passages.
Don't try to read these from this screen. CLICK THE LINKS to get nice clear PDFs.
A Christmas Gift For You. Greensleeves Christmas sheet music for guitar Standard notation for classical guitar and Christmas guitar tab |
We have a Printer Friendlier (PDF) version of this article on Christmas guitar music
and Douglas Niedt's classical guitar arrangement of the Christmas carol, Greensleeves
that's also easier on the eyes. It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read
it from the computer screen.
and Douglas Niedt's classical guitar arrangement of the Christmas carol, Greensleeves
that's also easier on the eyes. It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read
it from the computer screen.
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The Story Behind the Christmas Carol
And Now, The Christmas Sheet Music for Guitar
1. What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the king,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; (1)
Haste, haste to bring Him laud, (2)
The babe, the son of Mary!
2. Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading. (3)
Nails, spear shall pierce him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you; (5)
Hail, hail the Word made flesh, (6)
The babe, the son of Mary!
3. So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
Come, peasant, king, to own Him. (7)
The King of kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him. (8)
Raise, raise the song on high, (4)
The virgin sings her lullaby; (9)
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The babe, the son of Mary!
Alternative renderings and sources:
1. Whom shepherds worship and angels sing (NEH, CP, EP)
2. Haste, haste to bring Him praise (NEH, CP, EP)
3. Come, have no fear; God's son is here, His love all loves exceeding: (NEH, CP, EP)
4. Some versions replace the last half of the second and third stanzas with "This, this is Christ
the King…". (UMH)
5. The cross he bore for me, for you (EP)
6. Hail, hail, the Saviour comes, (NEH, CP, EP)
7. All tongues and peoples own him, (NEH, CP, EP)
8. Let every heart enthrone Him: (NEH, CP, EP)
9. While Mary sings a lullaby, (NEH, CP, EP)
EP: English Praise NEH: New English Hymnal CP: Common Praise UMH: United Methodist
Hymnal
Here is the story of and lyrics to the secular Greensleeves.
Merry Christmas. Enjoy!
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Need info on classical guitar right hand technique? Guitar
scales? How to play bar chords? Harmonics? Looking for a
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arrangements?
Chances are, I have covered it, or will soon.
The tips are by subscription only. However, you can still
access many of my previous tips in my Secret Vault for free.
This tip is a special one. It is a guitar Christmas song,
the wonderful Christmas carol, Greensleeves. This
classical guitar arrangement is fairly easy. It's written in
standard classical guitar notation and Christmas guitar
tab.
and high-def videos on how to play the classical guitar.
Need info on classical guitar right hand technique? Guitar
scales? How to play bar chords? Harmonics? Looking for a
classical guitar practicing routine? Tips on performing
onstage? How to tune a guitar? Looking for easy Christmas
arrangements?
Chances are, I have covered it, or will soon.
The tips are by subscription only. However, you can still
access many of my previous tips in my Secret Vault for free.
This tip is a special one. It is a guitar Christmas song,
the wonderful Christmas carol, Greensleeves. This
classical guitar arrangement is fairly easy. It's written in
standard classical guitar notation and Christmas guitar
tab.
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