Pastime with good Company

Henry VIII

 

Past time with good company 

I love, and shall until I die 

Grutch who lust, but none deny 

So God be pleased, thus live will I 

 

For my pastance 

Hunt, sing and dance 

My heart is set 

All goodly sport 

For my comfort 

Who shall me let? 

 

Youth must have some dalliance 

Of good or ill some pastance 

Company me thinks then best 

All thoughts and fancies to digest 

 

For idleness is chief mistress 

Of vices all then who can say 

But mirth and play 

Is best of all? 

 

Past time with good company 

I love, and shall until I die 

Grutch who lust, but none deny 

So God be pleased, thus live will I 

 

For my pastance 

Hunt, sing and dance 

My heart is set 

All goodly sport 

For my comfort 

Who shall me let? 

 

Company with honesty 

Is virtue, vices to flee 

Company is good and ill 

But every man hath his free will 

 

The best ensue 

The worst eschew 

My mind shall be 

Virtue to use 

Vice to refuse 

Thus shall I use me 

 

 

About the piece:

"Pastime with Good Company", also known as "The King's Ballad" ("The Kynges Balade"), is an English folk song written by King Henry VIII in the beginning of the 16th century, shortly after his coronation. It is regarded as the most famous of his compositions, and it became a popular song in England and other European countries during the Renaissance. It is thought to be written for Catherine of Aragon.

 

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Henry VIII (28 June 1491 – 28 January 1547)
Was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is best known for his six marriages, and for his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disagreement with Pope Clement VII about such an annulment led Henry to initiate the English Reformation, separating the Church of England from papal authority. He appointed himself Supreme Head of the Church of England and dissolved convents and monasteries, for which he was excommunicated by the pope. Henry is also known as "the father of the Royal Navy" as he invested heavily in the navy and increased its size from a few to more than 50 ships, and established the Navy Board.