Three Ravens

A Tradgedy

 There were three ravens sat on a tree.

 Down-a-down, hey down-a-down.

 There were three ravens sat on a tree, with a-down.

 There were three ravens sat on a tree,

 they were as black as they might be.

 With a-down, derry, derry, derry, down, down

 One of them said to his mate...

 Where shall we our breakfast take...

 Down in yonder green field...

 There lies a knight slain under his shield...

 His hounds they lie down at his feet...

 So well they can their master keep...

 His hawks they fly so eagerly...

 There's no fowl that'd dare come nie...

 Down there comes a fallow doe...

 As great with young as she might go...

 She lifted up his bloody head...

 and kist his wounds that were so red...

 She got him up onto her back...

 and carried him to an earthen lake...

 She buried him before the prime...

 She was dead herself ere eve-sung time...

 God send every Gentleman...

 such Hawks, such Hounds, and such a leman.

 With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down.

This traditional Scottish ballad shows the European view of Raven; as a harbinger of death and disaster.