A much-quoted legend claims that the song was composed by King Henry VIII (1491–1547) for his second wife Anne Boleyn. Heinrich is out of the question as a composer, however, since the song is composed in an Italian style that only spread in England after his death.

It probably circulated, like most folk music of its time, in the form of handwritten sheets long before it appeared in print.

It sounds wonderful on the piano and I've made this version as simple as possible. The notes are again provided with chord symbols.