Hymn #141: What Child Is This?
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Warning: The following is rated PG-13 and may not be suitable for young children, the immature and/or those with mutantly high sensibilities. This hymn is set to the tune of "Greensleeves," a song instantly recognized for its haunting Medieval melody, its sweet but plaintive tone and its complaint about a two-timing 'ho. Wait, what??
One possible interpretation of the original lyrics is that Lady Green Sleeves was a promiscuous young woman and perhaps a prostitute. At the time, the word "green" had sexual connotations, most notably in the phrase "a green gown," a reference to the way that grass stains might be seen on a woman's dress if she literally had "a roll in the hay."
An alternative explanation is that Lady Green Sleeves was, through her costume, incorrectly assumed to be sexually promiscuous. Her "discourteous" rejection of the singer's advances supports the contention that she is not.
Moral of the story: Don't wear long green sleeves, kids.
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“Come Christians Join to sing” (#10) and “Carmen Ohio” (famous Ohio State University anthem) also share the same tune.
“Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” (#423) is set to the tune “God save Francis the Emperor” by Haydn, which has been the tune for the German and Austrian national anthems (including the “co-national anthem” of Nazi Germany).
Once upon a November 11th Sabbath, this was the closing song at the university church.
All us history majors in the back row were wondering if the organist who made the selection was aware…
That early Advent favorite, “How Sweet Are the Tidings” (#442), is set to “Bonnie Eliose, the Belle of the Mohawk Vale.” Eloise proved popular with both Yankees and Rebs during the Civil War!
Several years ago, I wrote a treatise on this subject entitled “On Plundering the Carnal Lover.” It examined the sources behind many more of our hymns. I’ll be glad to share it if someone wants a copy.
Hi, Jim Ayars, I’m a musicologist and I’d like reading your treatise. Could you send it to joezer17@yahoo.com.br?
Sent it to me too… thechinag@yahoo.com
What? No mention of that pub song, “Silent Night, Holy Night”? I am so shocked!