PETER, PAUL AND MARY lyrics - Three Ravens

(Adapted & arranged: Yarrow/Stookey/Okun/Travers)



There were three ravens sat on a tree

Down-a-down, Hey! Down-a-down,

And they were black as they might be, with a down

The one of them said to his mate:

"What shall we for our breakfast take?"

With a down, derry derry derry down, down



Down in yonder green field,

Down-a-down, Hey! Down-a-down,

There lies a knight slain under his shield, 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 across her back

And carried him to the earthen lack [Note]

With a down derry derry derry down, down



She buried him before his prime

Down-a-down, Hey! Down-a-down,

She was dead herself, ere evening time, with a down

God send every gentlemen

Fine hawks, fine hounds and such a loved one

With a down derry derry derry down, Hmmm



[Note: lack means lake. It is an ancient pronunciation.]