Child #26 - Thomas
Ravenscroft, 1611
See also B 01
There were three Ravens sat on a tree,
Downe adowne hay downe;
There were three Ravens sat on a tree,
With adowne;
There were three Ravens sat on a tree,
They were as black as they might be,
With adowne derrie downe
The one of them to his mate,
Where shall we our breakfast take?
Downe in yonder greene field,
There lies a Knight slain under his shield.
His hounds they lie downe at his feete,
So well they can their Master keepe.
His Hawkes they flie so eagerly,
There's no fowle dare him come nie.
Downe there comes a fallow Doe,
As great with yong as she might goe.
She lift up his bloudy hed,
And kist his wounds that were so red.
She got him up upon her backe,
And carried him to earthen lake.
She buried him before the prime,
She was dead her selfe afore even-song time.
God send every gentleman,
Such haukes, such hounds, and such a Leman.
Kataryna's Note:
The music for this song is based on the version I am familiar with; which scans differently then the lyrics. Both versions use the same tune.