Fantasia on Greensleeves, composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams, draws inspiration from the English folk song bearing the same title. This musical piece embodies a leisurely stroll, punctuated by pronounced accents in the flute and harp sections, evoking imagery of a tranquil afternoon. It paints a picturesque scene of a young lady gracefully traversing a field, almost as if engaged in a waltz. The underlying significance of the composition harks back to the origin of the folk song itself. Historically, "Greensleeves" was associated with a colloquial term for prostitutes, stemming from the grass stains they would acquire while reclining in fields, hence the term "greensleeves."
