The Three Ravens (Child 26)

There were three ravens sat on a tree,
Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
There were three ravens sat on a tree,
With a downe
There were three ravens sat on a tree,
They were as black as they might be.
With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe

The one of them said to his mate,
Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
The one of them said to his mate,
With a downe
The one of them said to his mate,
‘Where shall we our breakfast take?’
With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe

‘Downe in yonder green field,
Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
‘Downe in yonder green field,
With a downe
‘Downe in yonder green field,
There lies a knight slain under his shield.
With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe

‘His hounds they lie downe at his feet,
Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
‘His hounds they lie downe at his feet,
With a downe
‘His hounds they lie downe at his feet,
So well they can their master keep.
With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe

‘His hawks they fly so eagerly,
Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
‘His hawks they fly so eagerly,
With a downe
‘His hawks they fly so eagerly,
There’s no fowle dare him come nie.’
With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe

Downe there comes a fallow doe,
Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
Downe there comes a fallow doe,
With a downe
Downe there comes a fallow doe,
As great with yong as she might goe.
With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe

She lift up his bloudy hed,
Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
She lift up his bloudy hed,
With a downe
She lift up his bloudy hed,
And kist his wounds that were so red.
With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe

She got him up upon her backe,
Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
She got him up upon her backe,
With a downe
She got him up upon her backe,
And carried him to earthen lake.
With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe

She buried him before the prime,
Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
She buried him before the prime,
With a downe
She buried him before the prime,
She was dead herself ere even-song time.
With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe

God send every gentleman,
Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
God send every gentleman,
With a downe
God send every gentleman,
Such hawks, such hounds, and such a leman.
With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe