Three Ravens

There were three ravens sat on a tree

Down a down, hey down, down a down

They were as black might be

With a down, down, down

The one of them said to his mate

"Where shall we our breakfast take?"

With a down, derry, derry down, down

Down in yonder green field

Down a down, hey down, down a down

Their lies a knight slain under his shield

With a down, down, down

His hounds they lie down at his feet

So well they do their master keep

With a down, derry, derry down, down

His hawks they fly so eagerly

Down a down, hey down, down a down

No other fowl dare him come nigh

With a down, down, down

Down there comes a fallow doe

As heavy with young as she might go

With a down, derry, derry down, down

She lifted up his bloody head

Down a down, hey down, down a down

And kissed his wounds that were so red

With a down, down, down

She got him up upon her back

And carried him to earthen lake

With a down, derry, derry down, down

She buried him before the prime

A derry

She was dead herself ere even-song time

God send every gentleman

Such hawks, such hounds, and such leman