He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.
King Henry V's Conquest of France
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bemusing on a tribute due
A tribute due from the king of France
It hadn't been payed for so long a day
Falalala lalala falade
Oh the king he called for his lovely page
His lovely page then he called he
Saying you must go to the king of France
Falalala lalala falade
And then away went this lovely page
This lovely page then away went he
And when he came to the king of France
Lord! he fell down and with bending knee
Falalala lalala falade
Oh my master greets you worthy sir
Ten tonnes of gold that's his due to he
T'is due to send him this tribute home
Or in french land he soon will see
Falalala lalala falade
Oh your master is young and unturned of years
Not fit to comment on my degree
And I will send him three tennis balls
That with them he might learn to play
Falalala lalala falade
Oh the page he returned to the english court
What news what news cried king Henry
Such news I am afraid to speak
For with this news you will never agree
Falalala lalala falade
He says you are young and unturned of years
Not fit to comment on his degree
And he will send you three tennis balls
That with them you might learn to play
Falalala lalala falade
Then Henry writes to the king of France
His pen never flew so speedily
Said I will toss you some London balls
That will shake your court so grievously
Falalala lalala falade
And then we marched into french land
With drums and trumps so merrily
And then bespeaks the king of France
He under comes proud king Henry
Falalala lalala falade
Oh the first shot that the french men gave
They killed our english men so free
We killed ten thousand of the french
The rest of them they all ran away
Falalala lalala falade
Falalala lalala falade
The song "King Henry V's Conquest of France" by Richard Thompson narrates the story of King Henry of England's conquest of France. It begins with King Henry musing on the tribute due from the King of France that had not been paid for so long. In response, he sends his lovely page to the King of France to demand the payment of tribute. The King of France responds by sending three tennis balls, stating that King Henry is too young to comment on his degree. The page returns and relays the message to King Henry, who is enraged and sends back his own message in the form of London balls. The English army then marches into French land, and amidst the merriment of drums and trumps, defeats the French in battle.
The lyrics of the song are simple and straightforward, with a traditional English folk ballad melody. However, the story it tells is quite complex, as it touches on themes of power, politics, and war. It portrays King Henry V as a strong and righteous leader who is willing to fight for what is due to him, while also highlighting the arrogance and pride of the King of France, who underestimates the young and inexperienced King of England. The song thus serves as a reminder of the importance of dignity and respect in political relations, as well as the power of determination and strategy in achieving one's goals.
Line by Line Meaning
King Henry lay upon his bed
King Henry was laying on his bed, lost in thought.
Bemusing on a tribute due
He was thinking about tribute which was due.
A tribute due from the king of France
The tribute was from the King of France.
It hadn't been payed for so long a day
The tribute had not been paid for a very long time.
Falalala lalala falade
This is a meaningless refrain used for musical effect.
Oh the king he called for his lovely page
The king called for his young servant.
His lovely page then he called he
He called out to his servant once again.
Saying you must go to the king of France
He ordered his servant to go to the King of France.
To the king of France ride speedely
He instructed his servant to ride to France quickly.
And then away went this lovely page
The servant left immediately.
This lovely page then away went he
He is reinforcing that the servant left immediately.
And when he came to the king of France
When the servant arrived in France.
Lord! he fell down and with bending knee
The servant was humbled and fell to his knees.
Falalala lalala falade
The meaningless refrain is used again.
Oh my master greets you worthy sir
The servant greeted the King of France.
Ten tonnes of gold that's his due to he
The tribute should be ten tonnes of gold.
T'is due to send him this tribute home
The tribute should be sent back to England.
Or in french land he soon will see
If the tribute isn't paid, the English will attack.
Falalala lalala falade
The refrain is used once more.
Oh your master is young and unturned of years
The King of France insulted King Henry's youth and inexperience.
Not fit to comment on my degree
He believes King Henry is not qualified to discuss political matters.
And I will send him three tennis balls
Instead of paying tribute, the King of France will send three tennis balls as an insult.
That with them he might learn to play
The tennis balls were meant to mock King Henry's youth.
Oh the page he returned to the english court
The servant returned to England.
What news what news cried king Henry
King Henry asked for news from the servant.
Such news I am afraid to speak
The servant was afraid to share the news.
For with this news you will never agree
The news would be unwelcome to King Henry.
Then Henry writes to the king of France
King Henry wrote a letter to the King of France.
His pen never flew so speedily
He wrote the letter very quickly.
Said I will toss you some London balls
King Henry threatened to send cannonballs to France.
That will shake your court so grievously
The cannonballs would cause widespread destruction and terror in France.
And then we marched into french land
The English army invaded France.
With drums and trumps so merrily
The English soldiers were celebrating as they marched.
And then bespeaks the king of France
The King of France spoke up.
He under comes proud king Henry
He demanded that King Henry submit to him.
Oh the first shot that the french men gave
The first attack from the French killed many English soldiers.
They killed our english men so free
Many English soldiers were killed.
We killed ten thousand of the french
The English army killed ten thousand French soldiers.
The rest of them they all ran away
The French soldiers retreated and ran away.
Falalala lalala falade
The song ends with the same meaningless refrain used throughout the song.
Writer(s): Richard John (gb1) Thompson
Contributed by Nathan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ken Soehn
on Love in a Faithless Country
At a show at the Culch (The Vancouver East Cultural Centre) decades ago, Thompson said the song was inspired by two British serial killers, who seemed to be inspiring each other through the newspapers. Now you know why it sounds so spooky.
Mark Apelman
on Devonside
Not sure what this song means, but I love the feeling of it.