There were three Ravens sat on a tree

There were three Ravens sat on a tree,—
Down-a-down, hey down, hey down!
There were three Ravens sat on a tree,—
With a down!

There were three Ravens sat on a tree,—
They were as black as they might be:
With a down, derry derry derry down down!

The one of them said to his make—
Where shall we our breakfast take?

Down in yonder greene field
There lies a knight slain under his shield.

His hounds they lie down at his feet:
So well they their master keep.

His hawks they fly so eagerly,
There's no fowl dare him come nigh.

Down there comes a fallow doe,
Great with young as she might go.

She lift up his bloody head,
And kist his wounds that were so red.

She gat him upon her back
And carried him to earthen lake.

She buried him before the prime;
She was dead ere even-time.

God send every gentleman
Such hounds, such hawks, and such a leman!
With a down, derry.