There were three ra'ens sat on a tree, Down a down, hey down, hey 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 might she 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