Three Ravens

There were three ravens sat on a tree

Down-a-down, hey! down-a-down,

And they were black as they might be, with a down

The one of them said to his mate:

"what shall we for our breakfast take?"

With a down, derry derry derry down, down



Down in yonder green field,

Down-a-down, hey! down-a-down,

There lies a knight slain under his shield, with a down

Down there comes a fallow doe,

As great 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-a-down,

And kissed his wounds that were so red, with a down

She got him up across her back

And carried him to the earthen lack*

With a down derry derry derry down, down



She buried him before his prime

Down-a-down, hey! down-a-down,

She was dead herself, ere evening time, with a down

God send every gentlemen

Fine hawks, fine hounds and such a loved one

With a down derry derry derry down, hmmm



(*lack means lake. it is an ancient pronunciation.)




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