The Three Ravens - A 17th Century English Folk Song

There were three ravens sat on a tree,

Down-a-down, hey down, hey down.

They were as 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.

      The song tells the story of a Knight that has died. His trusty hounds and hawks protect his body from the three ravens, which is then taken and buried by a fallow doe. The doe is thought to be a metaphor for his pregnant lover. The word 'leman' in the final verse comes from the old English word 'lēofmann' which means 'beloved' and came to mean a sweetheart or mistress. The "lover" then dies of a broken heart.    From the YouTube video