The Three Ravens (Folk Song)
Channel: tuotilo
Date: 2018-10-16

(LYRICS / CHORDS BELOW)

I love this song and have wanted to do a simple cover of it for some time. When I finally got around to it yesterday, I was already showing signs of a cold, so I'm not sure how happy I am with the result, but I can always delete and upload a better version later, I guess :D

"The Three Ravens" is an English folk ballad that was first published in the 17th century but is likely older. It first appeared in print in the compilation "Melismata" from Thomas Ravenscroft (ha!) in 1611 under the title "Covntry Pastimes".

CHORDS:

(I put the capo on 3 iirc.)

Am / Dm        
Am / E7
Am / G / C / E7
C / Dm
Am / E7
C / Dm / E7 / Am

LYRICS (one possible version):

There were three ravens sat on a tree,
Down-a-down, hey down, hey down.
They were 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 green field,
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 do 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 nie, 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, hey down.
And kissed his wounds that were so red, with a down.
She got him up across 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 even-song time, with a down.
God sent every gentlemen,
Fine hawks, fine hounds and such a leman,
With a down, derry derry derry, down, down.