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.)
|
|
-----------------
|
THREE RAVENS
|
| Peter, Paul & Mary |
