Legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple & Rainbow) met ethereal … Read Full Bio ↴Legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple & Rainbow) met ethereal vocalist Candice Night in 1989. Ritchie had always loved Renaissance music. The haunting songs were a departure from Blackmore's decades in rock, but were folk rock renaissance infused melodies that became a journey that Ritchie and Candice felt in their souls & continue to explore and tour with now over 20 years later. Their main wish was to revisit songs from hundreds of years ago and reinterpret them with new arrangements, lyrics written by Night and new instrumentation. Their first songs became 1997's Shadow of the Moon. Play Minstrel Play featured Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson on flute. Under A Violet Moon (1999) brought crowd pleasing favorites, like the title track. In Fires At Midnight, (2001) the band revisited the roots of songs from medieval times but with Blackmore's electric guitar and Candice introduced her double reed woodwind instruments to retain the spirits of the songs they reinterpreted. Ghost of A Rose (2003) was orchestrally inspired. The Village Lanterne came in (2006). Then: Secret Voyage (2008), Autumn Sky (2010), Dancer and the Moon (2013), and All Our Yesterdays (2015). They have 3 full length dvds and an award winning Christmas cd, Winter Carols. They are a favorite of the Renaissance Faire-goers. Fans often come to the concerts in renaissance garb and are a strong community. Their new studio album, Nature's Light, was released in March 2021.

Catherine Howard's Fate
Blackmore's Night Lyrics

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Oh, to my dearest ruler and lord
Merciful husband
Noblest of kings...
Your heart of gold has long since tarnished

In my chamber
What will the morning bring?
What it my heart that doth betray me

'Cause I loved more than one man?

Is it true your wear a wounded spirit?
Pray let me mend it and make our love anew...

Allow me to be your humble servant
Once again, as before...
Are you like the others, so quick to judge
And for this the queen must fall

What is my heart that doth betray me
'Cause I loved more than one man?
Truth within the writings of a letter
Signed and sealed poor Catherine Howard's fate...

Truth within the writings of a letter
Signed and sealed poor Catherine Howard's fate...

Overall Meaning

The song Catherine Howard's Fate by Blackmore's Night tells the story of Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of King Henry VIII of England. The lyrics express Catherine's regret and remorse for her actions and her desire to be forgiven by her king and husband. The song begins by praising Henry as a merciful and noble ruler, but the tone quickly shifts to one of sadness and despair as Catherine reflects on her situation. She wonders if her own heart betrayed her by loving more than one man, and begs for Henry's forgiveness and love once again.

The second verse suggests that Catherine may have had an affair while married to Henry, as she asks if his wounded spirit is a result of her infidelity. She offers to be his humble servant again, but fears that he will be quick to judge and ultimately cause her downfall. The chorus repeats the idea that Catherine's fate was sealed by the writing of a letter containing the truth of her actions.

The song's lyrics are poignant and emotional, capturing the tragedy of Catherine Howard's story. She was just a teenager when she was married to Henry, and was ultimately executed for adultery. The song portrays her as a victim of circumstance and a woman who was caught in the political and personal struggles of the Tudor court.

Line by Line Meaning

Truth within the writings of a letter
The evidence of Catherine's infidelity was found in a letter

Signed and sealed poor Catherine Howard's fate...
The discovery of the letter led to Catherine Howard's downfall

Oh, to my dearest ruler and lord
Catherine addresses her husband and king

Merciful husband
Catherine acknowledges her husband's kindness

Noblest of kings...
Catherine praises her husband's royal status

Your heart of gold has long since tarnished
Catherine comments on her husband's change of character

In my chamber
Catherine is alone and reflecting on her situation

What will the morning bring?
Catherine is uncertain about her fate

Is it true your wear a wounded spirit?
Catherine questions her husband's emotional state

Pray let me mend it and make our love anew...
Catherine pleads to reconcile with her husband

Allow me to be your humble servant
Catherine offers submission and loyalty to her husband

Once again, as before...
Catherine desires to go back to the early days of their relationship

Are you like the others, so quick to judge
Catherine questions her husband's fairness

And for this the queen must fall
Catherine's fate is sealed by her husband's judgment

What is my heart that doth betray me?
Catherine regrets her feelings towards another man

'Cause I loved more than one man?
Catherine confesses to her infidelity

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CANDICE NIGHT, RITCHIE BLACKMORE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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