Greensleeves by Francis Cutting (Free PDF, Lesson)

Greensleeves by Francis Cutting (c.1550–1596). Free PDF Sheet Music or Tab for classical guitar. Level: Intermediate (Grade 5)

Here’s a free sheet music edition of Elizabethan lutenist & composer Francis Cutting’s (c.1550–1596) setting of Greensleeves. This piece is originally for lute [Source: GB-London, British Library, Add.31392]. See the original lute tablature here. I’ve fingered the music for for regular guitar tuning but also see the clean score at the end for alternate fingerings or relative lute tuning. Cutting is one of the great Elizabethan lute players and composers but little biographical information is known about him. He’s one of the earliest known lutenists of the region and era and with approximately 51 lute pieces, one of the more prolific. Join the Email Newsletter or consider donating to the site.

Free Notation Only Edition

TAB Edition (PDF Download)

Note: If you are looking for an easier version of Greensleeves check out the period lute version at the grade 2 level in my Easy Classical Guitar, Vol. 1.


Bradford Werner
Bradford Werner

Bradford Werner is a classical guitarist and music publisher from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He originally created this site for his students at the Victoria Conservatory of Music but now shares content worldwide. Curating guitar content helps students absorb the culture, musical ideas, and technique of the classical guitar. Bradford also has a YouTube channel with over 94,000 subscribers and 13 million views. He taught classical guitar at the Victoria Conservatory of Music for 16 years and freelanced in Greater Victoria for 20 years and now dedicates much of his time curating content online and helping connect the classical guitar community. See more at his personal website.

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  1. I have been searching for this arrangement for ages. To me it sounds more authentic than the usual versions we listen to nowadays. Thank you for providing the score. Thank you for providing the information. This will be my go-to arrangement from now on.