There were three ravens sat on a tree, Down a down, hey down, hey down They were a 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 Their lies a knight slain under 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 him come nigh, With a down. Down there comes a fallow doe As heavy 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, 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 even-song time, With a down.
God send every gentleman Such hawks, such hounds, and such leman, With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down.