Please help me find this song

[why2020]

I'm thinking of an old song that is often played in videos about the Tudor times, Henry V111! There are no lyrics, just a flute (I think) and this song is always in those old history videos. Any ideas greatly appreciated!

[maresedotes]

Greensleeves?

[Nillynally]

Greensleeves

[EspressoExpresso]

Greensleeves

[why2020]

Amazing, thank you all!

[cariadlet]

Although Greensleeves is often played as purely instrumental, it is a song so there are lyrics. It is supposed to have been written by Henry VIII but that's almost certainly apocryphal.


Alas my love you do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously,
And I have lived you oh so long,
Delighting in your company.


Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves my heart of gold,
Greensleeves was my heart of joy,
And who but my lady Greensleeves.



There's a lot more but that's the first verse and chorus

[cariadlet]

"lived" not "loved"

[cariadlet]

Damn! My correction was supposed to say "loved" not "lived"

[Haggertyjane]

Allegedly written by Henry 8th although it isn't proven I think.

[AdaColeman]

Henry VIII was actually an accomplished musician, you can see his Songbook in the British Library on line. One of his most popular compositions was Pastime with Good Company, so that might be the song you're thinking of.
Though I agree that Greensleeves is also very likely!