Songfacts®:

• This song was written by Henry VIII, King of England, and appears in his own songbook - which includes many songs by other composers.
  
  According to John Stevens in Music At The Court of Henry VIII, it was written in honour of Henry's firstborn son in January/February 1511.
  
  Alas, this joy was shortlived. Henry was married no less than six times; his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, was the widow of Henry's elder brother, Arthur, who died April 2, 1502 aged only 15. At that time, arranged marriages were common amongst royalty and other powerful families, and some parties were betrothed very young. Henry was five years Catherine's junior, and appears from an early age to have wanted a son and heir. Catherine was unable to provide him with this; during their marriage she is thought to have fallen pregnant at least six times, but only one child survived: Mary, who was born February 18, 1516. Henry's first son was named after his father but died February 22, 1511 at only 52 days old. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Alexander Baron - London, England