The Lyrics of Henry VIII/Pray we to god that all may gyde (Unattributed)

[f. 103^r]

Pray we to god that all may gyde
that for or kyng so to provid
to send hym power to hys corage
he may acheffe this gret viage.
now let vs syngg this rownd all thre                                       5
sent george graunt hym the victory.

Textual Commentary

“Pray we to god that all may gyde” is a prayer for victory in France (1513). “ENglond be glad pluk vp thy lusty hart” (H 64), which precedes this lyric, is of the same occasion; see the commentary to that lyric.

2 or Our.

3 corage Boldness, bravery, and valour; see Henry’s “The tyme of youthe is to be spent” (H 19.10, note).

4 viage Voyage, a journey, task, or expedition undertaken with a military purpose (OED “voyage” n 2).

The unattributed “Pray we to god that all may gyde” is transcribed here as a round.

The piece is indexed in Robbins Index & Suppl. 2766.8 and Ringler MS TM1335. It is reprinted in Chappell Account 383, Flügel Anglia 250, Flügel Neuengl 161, Stevens M&P 418, and Stevens MCH8 75.

Textual Notes

Texts Collated

H¹ (f. 103^r).

[7] omit pray H¹