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Roud Folk Song Index #5

An English folk ballad first published in 1611 but perhaps older. Is listed as a Francis J. Child Ballad. Apparently an earlier form of the somewhat darker Twa Corbies

    Three Ravens, The

    by trad
    There were three ra'ens sat on a tree,
    Down a down, hey down, a down,
    They were as 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,
    There lies a knight slain 'neath 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 come him night, 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, 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 e'en-song time, with a down.
    God send every gentleman,
    Such hawks, such hounds, and such a leman.
    With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down