There were three Rav'ns sat on a tree.

        Down-a-down, hey down-a-down,

        There were three Rav'ns sat on a tree

        With a down

        There were three Rav'ns sat on a tree,

        They were as black as they might be,

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

        For down in yonder greene field

        Down-a-down, hey down-a-down,

        For down in yonder greene field

        With a down

        For down in yonder greene field,

        A knight lies slain beneath his shield.

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

        Now down there comes a fallow doe,

        Down-a-down, hey down-a-down,

        Now down there comes a fallow doe,

        With a down

        Now down there comes a fallow doe,

        As great with child as she might go,

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

        She lifted up his bloody head,

        Down-a-down, hey down-a-down,

        She lifted up his bloody head,,

        With a down

        She lifted up his bloody head,,

        And kissed his wounds that were so red,

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

        She buried him before the prime,

        Down-a-down, hey down-a-down,

        She buried him before the prime,

        With a down

        She buried him before the prime,

        Was dead herself ere ev'nsing time,

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

This song can be found in the King Singers Choral Library - Volume I