There were three ravens sat on a tree,
Down a down, hey down, hey down.
And they were as black as black 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 can 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 hin 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 evensong time.
With a down.
God send every gentleman
Such hawks, such hounds and such leman.
With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down.