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Leaving Green Sleeves Lyrics

Alas, my love, you did me wrong,
to cast me out discourteously,
for I have loved you so long,
delighting in your very company.
Now if you intend to show me disdain,
don't you know it all the more enraptures me,
for even so I still remain your lover in captivity.

Green sleeves, you're all alone,
the leaves have fallen, the men have gone.
Green sleeves, there's no one home,
not even the Lady Green Sleeves

I sang my songs, I told my lies,
to lie between your matchless thighs.
And ain't it fine, ain't it wild
to finally end our exercise
Then I saw you naked in the early dawn,
oh, I hoped you would be someone new.
I reached for you but you were gone,
so lady I'm going too.

Green sleeves, you're all alone ...

Green sleeves, you're all alone,
the leaves have fallen, the men have all gone home.
Green sleeves, it's so easily done,
leaving the Lady Green Sleeves.
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Cover art for Leaving Green Sleeves lyrics by Leonard Cohen

It's referencing the song Green Sleeves, a classic.

Greensleeves was a term used to describe a prostitute i.e grass stains on her clothes from constant lying down, and of course is taken from the classic song,

Cover art for Leaving Green Sleeves lyrics by Leonard Cohen

It is about a very beautiful and cherished woman, perhaps a courtesan, who, unfortunately, was getting old as anyone else.

 
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