‘Under the Greenwood Tree’ is taken from the comedy, ‘As you like it’. The singers are followers of a Duke who has been driven from his home by a wicked brother; they are now living in a forest, and their song shows that there is more peace and happiness in their present country life than in their previous life at the Duke’s palace.
The singer invites any enthusiastic friends to come and take time to relax under the greenwood tree and turn any melodious note of the heart into the sweetest song that the sweetest bird can ever sing. The friend is free to sing like a bird. So anyone can come immediately towards the greenwood tree. Here one shall find no enemies but only the rough and cold weather of winter.
Whom does ambition work itself up to keep away (a place, person, object, etc.), from motives of dislike, caution, etc.; take pains to avoid, yet loves to live under the influence of the sun. The friend is free to seek the food he wishes to eat and be pleased with whatever he gets. Anyone who wishes to come to the greenwood tree are welcome to be present immediately. There are no mortal enemies here but only the rough cold weather of winter.