The Three Ravens
(Traditional)



There were three ravens sat on a tree
Down a down, hey down, hey down
They were a black as black might be
With a down
The one of them said to his mate
"Where shall we our breakfast take?"
With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down

Down in yonder green field
Down a down, hey down, hey down
Their lies a knight slain under his shield
With a down
His hounds they lie down at his feet
So well they do their master keep
With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down

His hawks they fly so eagerly
Down a down, hey down, hey down
No other fowl dare him come nigh
With a down
Down there comes a fallow doe
As heavy with young as she might go
With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down

She lifted up his bloody head
Down a down, hey down, hey down
And kissed his wounds that were so red
With a down
She got him up upon her back
And carried him to earthen lake
With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down

She buried him before the prime
Down a down, hey down, hey down
She was dead herself ere even-song time
With a down

God send every gentleman
Such hawks, such hounds, and such leman
With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down