Popular Music Of The Olden Time Vol 1

Ancient Songs, Ballads, & Dance Tunes, Sheet Music & Lyrics - online book

	PROM HENRY VII. TO MARY.	59
	"The Three Ravens." This song is one of those included under the head of " Country Pastimes " in Melismata, 1611. Ritson in his Ancient Songs, remarks: " It will be obvious that this ballad is much older, not only than the date of that book, but than most of the other pieces contained in it." It is nevertheless still so popular in some parts of the country, that I Lave been favored with a variety of copies of it, written down from memory; and all differing in some respects, both as to words and tune, but with sufficient resemblance to prove a similar origin.
	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, &c. His hawks they fly so eagerly, Down a down, &c. There's no fowl ' that' 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, &c. She lifted up his bloody head, Down a down, &c. And kiss'd 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, &c. She buried him before the prime: With a down, &c. She was dead herself ere even-song time. With a down. God send every" gentleman Such hawks, such hounds, and such a leman [lov'd one]. With a down, &c.