Thursday 24 December 2015
Tune of the Day: Christmas Comes But Once a Year
Traditional English tune
This jig version of Greensleeves is also known in Ireland under the titles “I'm a Silly Old Man” and “Bunch of Roses”. The latter was a common name for the red-coated British Army (which always had a large number of Irish conscripts), but also refers symbolically to the union of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
The first appearance of the tune in print appears to be in Howe's 1000 Jigs and Reels, published around 1867.