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Pastime With Good Company

Music by King Henry VIII

"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.

The song is supposed to have been played in court, along with all the other of the King's compositions.[3] 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 favourite musical pieces of Queen Elizabeth I.[4] 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



Pastime With Good Company

Pastime With Good Company

This song, made popular during the Renaissance, celebrates the joys of dancing, singing, and hunting. Detailed performance notes offer suggestions for presenting an authentic and stylistic performance by employing instruments and ostinato percussion lines.

Voicing: SATB


Pastime With Good Company

Pastime With Good Company

This song, made popular during the Renaissance, celebrates the joys of dancing, singing, and hunting. Detailed performance notes offer suggestions for presenting an authentic and stylistic performance by employing instruments and ostinato percussion lines.

Voicing: SSA



Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-13 of 13 items.


Alan Wilson : Carols Old and New - Easter : SATB : Songbook : 073999555691 : 48016488

Alan Wilson : Carols Old and New - Easter

Volume IV of Seasonal Carols Old & New is an exciting new venture into previously unexplored territory. Apart from a small number of Easter carols, there has been little music available for festivals other than Christmas. In Seasonal Carols Volume IV all the main seasons are represented, and in addition festivals such as Corpus Christi, Candlemas, The Transfiguration of Saints' Days receive timely attention. As a complete contrast and in a secular vein, a new rustic mixedvoice arrangement of King Henry VIII's "Pastime With Good Company" has been added. This volume is intended to give churches, schools and colleges a wide selection of material that will help to add a richer feeling to a liturgically - based Christian year.

Songlist: A Lenten Prayer, A Carol for Lent, A Song for Holy Week, Christ the Lord is Risen, Easter Day, Christ ist erstanden, Water from the Wells of Salvation, In this sign conquer, I am with you - Yes to the end of time, Spirit of God, A Whitsun Hymn, Be present, Holy Trinity, By day and night they sing, Taste and See, Alleluia, Sing to Jesus, The Old Man's King, O Lord of Hosts, All Heaven Possessing, Saints Alive, A Carol to Mary, Carol for Peace (Kum ba Yah), A Carol for Unity (Peace Depends on Unity), Pastime With Good Company

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Voicing: SATB | 9129b | Songbook | $19.95


Cantabile - The London Quartet : The Great British A Cappella Songbook : SATB : Songbook : 98-EP72404

Cantabile - The London Quartet : The Great British A Cappella Songbook

The Great British A Cappella Songbook features a collection of the London Quartet's favourite songs arranged for SATB - these songs are a celebration of all things British. Cantabile has long been recognized to be one of Britain's great vocal groups. They have appeared in a huge variety of venues, singing programmes encompassing early polyphony through to jazz and contemporary music, and have released many albums.

Songlist: Pastime With Good Company, Greensleeves, Oranges and Lemons, Myfanwy, Danny Boy "I Would be True" (Londenderry Air), A Man's a Man for A' That, Pomp and Circumstance March Number 4, A Foggy Day (In London Town), Lullaby (Hush, Macushla)

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Voicing: SATB | Performed by Cantabile | 7878b | Songbook | $14.95 | A Cappella


Ward Swingle : Swingle Folk : SSAATTBB : Sheet Music Collection

Ward Swingle : Swingle Folk

'Pastime With Good Company' is an evocation of Renaissance vocal and instrumental styles in which some of the singers are asked to imitate recorders, tabors and shaums. 'The Agincourt Song' recounts the victory of Henry V over the French at Agincourt. As in 'Pastime with Good Company,' the singers must imitate the sounds of Renaissance instruments. 'Country Dances' is a fast-moving potpourri of traditional country tunes. One theme that recurs is that of the Arkansas Traveler. The accompanying sounds evoke various country-music instruments: fiddles, banjos, jugs, etc. 'Music History 101 is a trip through Music History to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," treated as a Gregorian Chant, a Medieval Round, a Madrigal, a Bach Chorale, a Schubert Lied and many other styles including jazz and rap. El paisanito features an alto duet with an accompaniment that imitates strumming Spanish guitars. In the men's version, the duet is sung by two male altos. 'L'amour de moi' features a soprano solo with a string-like accompaniment along with vocalized bass and drums. The three melodies in 'Tour garcon qui sert bien son maitre' come from the province of Quebec. These arrangements were commissioned by the McGill Univeristy Chamber Choir in Montreal.

Songlist: Pastime with Good Company, The Agincourt Song, L'amour de moi, Country Dances, El paisanito, Music History 101

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Voicing: SSAATTBB | Performed by The Swingle Singers | 6287b | Sheet Music Collection | $15.95 | A Cappella


Richard Walters (editor) : The Boy's Changing Voice : Solo : Songbook & Online Audio : 884088922856 : 1480352373 : 00121394

Richard Walters (editor) : The Boy's Changing Voice

20 selections, art songs and folksong arrangements, with a limited vocal range of one octave, chosen especially for the adolescent boy's voice during its change from a higher treble register. The complete range of the book falls between the F below middle C to the G above middle C.

Songlist: Simple Gifts, Aura Lee, The Jolly Miller, Barbara Allen, The Erie Canal, All Through the Night, Shenandoah, It was a lover and his lass, I Gave My Love a Cherry, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Bendemeer's Stream, Bill Groggin's Goat, Bury Me No on the Lone Prairie, Come again, sweet love, Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes, The lark in the Morn, Pastime With Good Company, The Rambling Silor, The Silver Swan, The Streets of Laredo

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Voicing: Solo | 2555b | Songbook & Online Audio | $16.95 | Voice and Piano


Steven Stolen (editor) : English Songs: Renaissance to Baroque : Solo : Songbook : 073999534740 : 079354632X : 00740018

Steven Stolen (editor) : English Songs: Renaissance to Baroque

Compiled and edited by Steven Stolen and Richard Walters, this collection has been specifically compiled to be extraordinarily useful to student singers. 17 composers are represented with historical information and 34 songs.

Songlist: Diaphenia, Come And Trip It (Handel), Here Amid the Shady Woods (Handel), My Lovely Celia (Monro), O Come, O Come, My Dearest (Arne), It Was A Lover And His Lass, Hark! The Echoing Air, Since First I Saw Your Face, Thou Soft Flowing Avon, Whither Runneth My Sweetheart?, Tell Me No More, Fair, If You Expect Admiring, Jack And Joan, Flow My Tears, Weep You No More, Sad Fountains, Let Me Wander Not Unseen, Fain Would I Change That Note, As I Walked Forth One Summer Day, In Sherwood Lived Stout Robin Hood, Rest Sweet Nymphs, I Attempt From Love's Sickness To Fly, If Music Be The Food Of Love, When Laura Smiles, Where E'er You Walk (Handel), Willow Song (Anon 17th C), When Daisies Pied (Arne), How Happy Art Thou (Lawes), Nymphs and Shepherds (Purcell), Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind (Arne), The Silver Swan, and more

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Voicing: Solo | 2609b | Songbook | $12.95 | Voice and Piano


Steven Stolen (editor) : English Songs: Renaissance to Baroque : Solo : Songbook : 073999642827 : 0793546338 : 00740019

Steven Stolen (editor) : English Songs: Renaissance to Baroque

Compiled and edited by Steven Stolen and Richard Walters, this collection has been specifically compiled to be extraordinarily useful to student singers. 17 composers are represented with historical information and 34 songs.

Songlist: Diaphenia, Come And Trip It (Handel), Here Amid the Shady Woods (Handel), My Lovely Celia (Monro), O Come, O Come, My Dearest (Arne), It Was A Lover And His Lass, Hark! The Echoing Air, Since First I Saw Your Face, Thou Soft Flowing Avon, Whither Runneth My Sweetheart?, Tell Me No More, Fair, If You Expect Admiring, Jack And Joan, Flow My Tears, Weep You No More, Sad Fountains, Let Me Wander Not Unseen, Fain Would I Change That Note, As I Walked Forth One Summer Day, In Sherwood Lived Stout Robin Hood, Rest Sweet Nymphs, I Attempt From Love's Sickness To Fly, If Music Be The Food Of Love, When Laura Smiles, Where E'er You Walk (Handel), Willow Song (Anon 17th C), When Daisies Pied (Arne), How Happy Art Thou (Lawes), Nymphs and Shepherds (Purcell), Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind (Arne), The Silver Swan, and more

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Voicing: Solo | 2610b | Songbook | $12.95 | Voice and Piano


Steven Stolen and Richard Walters : English Songs - Renaissance to Baroque - High Voice : Solo : Songbook & CD : 073999296624 : 0634038656 : 00740179

Steven Stolen and Richard Walters : English Songs - Renaissance to Baroque - High Voice

An excellent collection of 34 songs, especially useful in teaching students. This collection is a good alternative or companion to the standard Baroque Italian songs and arias. Now with recorded accompaniments on included CD by pianist Laura Ward.

Songlist: Have You Seen But a White Lily Grow?, Pastime With Good Company, Willow Song, Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind, O Come, O Come, My Dearest, Thou Soft Flowing Avon, When Daisies Pied, Whither Runneth My Sweetheart, Tell Me No More, Fair, If You Expect Admiring, Jack and Joan, Flow My Tears, Weep You No More, Sad Fountains, What If I Never Speed?, Since First I Saw Your Face, The Silver Swan, Come and Trip It, Here Amid the Shady Woods, Let Me Wander Not Unseen, Where E'er You Walk, Fain Would I Change That Note, As I Walked Forth One Summer Day, In Sherwood Lived Stout Robin Hood, How Happy Art Thou, It Was a Lover and His Lass, My Lovely Celia, Diaphenia, Rest Sweet Nymphs, Hark! The Echoing Air, I Attempt from Love's Sickness, and more

More details
Voicing: Solo | 8586b | Songbook & CD | $22.95 | Voice and Piano


Steven Stolen and Richard Walters : English Songs - Renaissance to Baroque (Low Voice) : Solo : Songbook & CD : 073999455489 : 0634038664 : 00740180

Steven Stolen and Richard Walters : English Songs - Renaissance to Baroque (Low Voice)

An excellent collection of 34 songs, especially useful in teaching students. This collection is a good alternative or companion to the standard Baroque Italian songs and arias. Now with recorded accompaniments on included CD by pianist Laura Ward.

Songlist: Have You Seen But a White Lily Grow?, Pastime With Good Company, Willow Song, Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind, O Come, O Come, My Dearest, Thou Soft Flowing Avon, When Daisies Pied, Whither Runneth My Sweetheart, Tell Me No More, Fair, If You Expect Admiring, Jack and Joan, Flow My Tears, Weep You No More, Sad Fountains, What If I Never Speed?, Since First I Saw Your Face, The Silver Swan, Come and Trip It, Here Amid the Shady Woods, Let Me Wander Not Unseen, Where E'er You Walk, Fain Would I Change That Note, As I Walked Forth One Summer Day, In Sherwood Lived Stout Robin Hood, How Happy Art Thou, It Was a Lover and His Lass, My Lovely Celia, Diaphenia, Rest Sweet Nymphs, Hark! The Echoing Air, I Attempt from Love's Sickness, and more

More details
Voicing: Solo | 8587b | Songbook & CD | $22.95 | Voice and Piano


Various Arrangers : The Student Singer - High Voice : Solo : Songbook & 1 CD : 884088590697 : 1458411249 : 00230104

Various Arrangers : The Student Singer - High Voice

This collection for progressing students includes art songs, as well as arrangements of folksongs and spirituals.

Songlist: Greensleeves, Jacob's Ladder, All Through the Night, Shenandoah, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, Bright is the ring of words (VAUGHAN WILLIAMS), The Call (VAUGHAN WILLIAMS), Come again, sweet love (JOHN DOWLAND), The Gospel Train, How Can I Keep from Singing, How happy art thou (HENRY LAWES), I attempt from love's sickness (HENRY PURCELL), I Gave My Love a Cherry, It was a lover and his lass (HENRY PURCELL), Jack and Joan (THOMAS CAMPIAN), My Lord, What a Mornin', Now Is The Month Of Maying, Nymphs and Shepherds (HENRY PURCELL), Pastime With Good Company, The Silver Swan (ORLANDO GIBBONS), Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Spring Sorrow (JOHN IRELAND), This Little Light of Mine, Weep you no more (ROGER QUILTER), What if I never speed? (JOHN DOWLAND)

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Voicing: Solo | 3068b | Songbook & 1 CD | $16.95 | Voice and Piano


Various Arrangers : The Student Singer - Low Voice : Solo : Songbook & 1 CD : 884088590703 : 1458411257 : 00230105

Various Arrangers : The Student Singer - Low Voice

This collection for progressing students includes art songs, as well as arrangements of folksongs and spirituals.

Songlist: Greensleeves, Jacob's Ladder, All Through the Night, Shenandoah, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, Bright is the ring of words (VAUGHAN WILLIAMS), The Call (VAUGHAN WILLIAMS), Come again, sweet love (JOHN DOWLAND), The Gospel Train, How Can I Keep from Singing, How happy art thou (HENRY LAWES), I attempt from love's sickness (HENRY PURCELL), I Gave My Love a Cherry, It was a lover and his lass (HENRY PURCELL), Jack and Joan (THOMAS CAMPIAN), My Lord, What a Mornin', Now Is The Month Of Maying, Nymphs and Shepherds (HENRY PURCELL), Pastime With Good Company, The Silver Swan (ORLANDO GIBBONS), Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Spring Sorrow (JOHN IRELAND), This Little Light of Mine, Weep you no more (ROGER QUILTER), What if I never speed? (JOHN DOWLAND)

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Voicing: Solo | 3069b | Songbook & 1 CD | $16.95 | Voice and Piano


Cantabile - The London Quartet : In Cambridge : 1 CD

Cantabile - The London Quartet : In Cambridge

Recorded live in - you guessed it - in Cambridge, this male quintet is a stylistic whisper away from the King's Singers, both in terms of sound and choice of material, though the influence of the Swingles can be felt as well ("The History of Western Music"). The selections on this CD encompass several centuries, beginning with William Byrd's "Deo Gratias." Embracing the British folk ballad (Morley and Henry the VIII), and the European classical form (Chopin), the group then travels forward in time to include period classics such as "Sentimental Journey" and "The Lambeth Walk," finishing up with the wholly appropos doo wop closer, "Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight."

Songlist: Deo Gratis, Fire, Fire my Heart, Weep, O Mine Eyes, Now Is The Month Of Maying, Myfanwy, The Wee Cooper O'Fife, Pastime With Good Company, The Minute Waltz, Java Jive, Mein Kleiner, Gruner Kaktus, The History Of Western Music, Are You Lonesome Tonight?, Sentimental Journey, A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square, The Lambeth Walk, Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight

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6481c | 1 CD | $15.98 | A Cappella


Oxford Camerata : English Madrigals And Songs : 1 CD : Jeremy Summerly : 8.553088

Oxford Camerata : English Madrigals And Songs

The Oxford Camerata was formed to meet the growing demand for choral groups specializing in Renaissance music. Now comprised of 12 mixed voices Camerata has since expanded its repertoire to include music from the medieval period to the present day. Jeremy Summerly founded the Oxford Camerata after studying music at New College, Oxford, graduating with 1st Class Honors in 1982. "English Madrigals" is divided into 4 sections, "Early Tudor Songs," ("Pastime with good company," attributed to Henry VIII, "Blow thy horn, hunter," by Wm. Cornish, and "Hey trolly lolly lo"); "Madrigals from the Golden Age" ("Draw on, sweet night" and "Weep, Weep Mine Eyes,'" by John Wilbye, Richard Carlton's "Sound Saddest Notes" and Robt. Ramsey's "Sleep, Fleshly Birth"); and "Romantic Songs and Partsongs," (Robt. Pearsall's "Lay a garland," Somerset's "The trees they do grow high," and Charles Stanford's "The Blue Bird"). Nice liner notes booklet with all the lyrics and group info. Camerata's music soars in perfect, effortless harmony!

Songlist: Pastime With Good Company, Blow thy horn, hunter, Ah Robin, gentle Robin, Hey Trolly Lolly Lo, Draw on, Sweet Night, Thule, the Period of Cosmography, Weep. Weep Mine Eyes, As Vesta Was, Sound Saddest Notes, Fair Phyllis, Sleep. Fleshly Birth, Mother, I will have a Husband, Lay a Garland, Rigg Fair, The Trees They do Grow High, The Blue Bird

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7343c | 1 CD | $11.98 | Primarily a cappella


Peter Hunt : Voiceworks 2 - A Further Handbook for Singing : Kids : Songbook & 2 CDs : Peter Hunt : 0193435500

Peter Hunt : Voiceworks 2 - A Further Handbook for Singing

Voiceworks is a magnificent resource for promoting good singing in pre-schools, schools, community choirs, adult choirs and everywhere that people sing. The Voiceworks books (complete with CDs) are packed with songs and ideas which are practical, motivating, and accessible. Voiceworks 2 is a complete guide and support for anyone who encourages or teaches other people to sing well. Singing is learned behaviour, and Voiceworks 2 aims to help singers of all ages and experience improve their capability, to develop some techniques, and get pleasure from using their voices. It is claimed that the better people feel about their voices, the better they feel about themselves, so this book is more influential than just a singing book. The music is eclectic, chosen for its accessibility, and can be used progressively as laid out in the book to build confidence and develop vocal technique, or as a 'dip in' resource to suit particular needs.

Songlist: Section I: Warm Ups And Rounds, Boom Chicka Boom, Eighteen Hammers Standin', Everywhere We Go, Chicka Hanka, Sarana, Sonagwaza, Banuwa, Banaha, Janie Mama, Freedom Train, Sto Me, Yenamanoa, Oliver Cromwell, The Hand Jive, Three Way Canon Blues, Jazz Gloria, Hashivenu, Alleluia, Cantate Domino, There Was a Young Woman of Ryde, She Died, She Did!, There's a Girl that I Love, Section II: Improvising and Inventing, Section III: Spirituals and Gospel Songs, Zion me wan' go Home, Trampin', Go Down Moses, I Want to be Ready, Shoeshone Love Song, and more

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Voicing: Kids | 9554b | Songbook & 2 CDs | $79.95 ON SALE $69.95


Individual Folios

Displaying 1-1 of 1 items.


Pastime With Good Company : SATB : Steven Rickards : Songbook & 2 CDs : 00257924 : 888680724627

Steven Rickards : Pastime With Good Company

This song, made popular during the Renaissance, celebrates the joys of dancing, singing, and hunting. Detailed performance notes offer suggestions for presenting an authentic and stylistic performance by employing instruments and ostinato percussion lines.

Arranger: Steven Rickards

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.10 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00257924
Other Voicings: SSA

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