Written by Henry VIII around 1513, "Pastime with Good Company" celebrates courtly leisure and loyalty. Known as "The Kynges Balade," it reflects Tudor musical traditions and was likely performed at royal festivities. The king himself may have sung it while playing the lute or harp.
A lively secular song attributed to Henry VIII, reflecting courtly entertainment traditions of the English Renaissance.
Attributed to Henry VIII of England, "Pastime With Good Company" is a lively Renaissance secular song composed for the Tudor court. It reflects royal patronage of music and was likely performed during feasts and celebrations. The lyrics praise the virtues of camaraderie and reject melancholy, offering insight into early 16th-century courtly life.
"Pastime with Good Company", also known as "The King's Ballad", is a popular English folk song written by King Henry VIII of England in the early 16th century. It reflects the courtly life and entertainment of the Tudor period. The king, who was an accomplished musician and composer, wrote this piece for his court and it remains one of the best-known examples of Tudor music.
