There were three ravens sat on a tree
Down a down, hey, down a down
They were as black, as black could 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 a down
There lies a knight slain under his shield with a down
His hounds they lie down at his feet
So, well, do they their master keep?
With a down, derry-derry-derry down, down
His hawks they fly so eagerly
Down a down, hey, down a down
There is no fowl dare him come nigh with a down
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 a down
And kissed his wounds that were so red with a down
She got him up upon her back
And carried him to the earthen lake
With a down, derry-derry-derry down, down
She buried him before the prime
Down a down, hey, down a down
And she was dead herself ere evensong time
And God sends every gentleman
Such hawks, such hounds, such a leman
With a down, derry-derry-derry down, down (down, down, down, down)
With a down, derry-derry-derry down, down (down, down, down, down)
With a down, derry-derry-derry down, down