The three ravens

There were three ravens sat on a tree,

Down a down hey down hey down.

They were as black as they might be,

With a down.

Then one of them said to his mate:

"Where shall we our breakfast take?"

With a down derry derry derry down down.

Down in yonder greenfield,

Down a down hey down hey down.

There lies a knight slain under his shield;

With a down.

His hounds they lie down at his feet,

So well they their master keep.

With a down derry derry derry down down.

His hawks they fly so eagerly,

Down a down hey down hey down.

There is no fowl dare him come nigh

With a down.

But 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 hey down.

And kissed his wounds that were so red.

With a down.

She got him up upon her back

And carried him to an 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 evensong time.

With a down.

Now God send every gentleman

Such hounds, such hawks and such a leman.

With a down derry derry derry down down.