Under the Greenwood Tree - Words by Shakespeare, music by Thomas Arne

 

Song: “Under the greenwood tree” from As You Like It, by William Shakespeare, music by Thomas Arne (English: 1710-1778). 

Under the greenwood tree
Who loves to lie with me,
And turn his merry note
Unto the sweet bird's throat,
Come hither, come hither, come hither:
Here shall he see No enemy
But winter and rough weather.

Who doth ambition shun
And loves to live i' the sun,
Seeking the food he eats,
And pleased with what he gets,
Come hither, come hither, come hither:
Here shall he see No enemy
But winter and rough weather.

I came across this delightful song in my mid-teens on The Art of the Recorder album collection, played by David Munrow and the Academy of Ancient Music. 

This setting of one of Shakespeare's happiest songs in one of his happiest plays has a delightful tune and orchestration (with sopranino recorder obbligato), and has stuck in my mind ever since.

The live performance is excellent, albeit the recording very ropey (presumably done on a mobile phone).