Suellen Davidson

King Henry VIII - Pastyme With Good Companye

I chose this song because I was fascinated to learn that King Henry VIII composed music. He was of course famous for many other things, but the idea that he was also a composer presents a whole new and surprising perspective.  We all have many facets, and perhaps hidden talents.

In my research, I found out that Henry VIII was actually highly respected as a musician and composer. A manuscript, known as the Henry VIII Songbook, was probably compiled around 1518, and includes 20 songs and 13 instrumental pieces ascribed to The Kynge H. This famous song, Pastyme With Good Companye, celebrates the joys of princely life such as hunting, singing and dancing. The manuscript was produced for someone close to the court, possibly Sir Henry Guildford (1489–1532), the Controller of the Household and Master of the Revels.  

The song is supposed to have been played in court, along with all the other of the King's compositions. However, due to its simple and catchy melody, it became a popular tune and was soon afterwards interpreted frequently at English fairs, taverns and events. It is also believed to have been one of the favorite musical pieces of Queen Elizabeth I. The song is referred to in a number of contemporary documents and publications, attesting to its popularity, and was subject of a wide number of variants and instrumental rearrangements by different musicians in the following years. In the 1548 work The Complaynt of Scotland, the anonymous author mentions Passetyme with gude companye as being among the popular songs within the kingdom of Scotland in the early part of the 16th century.

The song was also subject of numerous contemporary versions in recent times. Renamed as Past Time with Good Company, it was included as the third track on Under a Violet Moon, the second album by Renaissance-inspired folk rock group Blackmore's Night. The song was also played by rock band Jethro Tull, and appears on the remastered CD Stormwatch and The Best of Acoustic Jethro Tull bearing the name King Henry's Madrigal.

Below is an image of the original manuscript. But since it's almost impossible to read, here is the translation of the text from the manuscript: