The Three Ravens

Texte anglais

There were three ravens sat on a tree,
— Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
They were as black as they might be.
— With a downe
The one of them said to his mate,
« Where shall we our breakfast take? »
— With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe

Downe in yonder green field,
— Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
There lies a knight slain under his shield.
— With a downe
His hounds they lie downe at his feet,
So well they can their master keep.
— With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe

His hawks they fly so eagerly,
— Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
There’s no fowle dare him come nie.
— With a downe
Downe there comes a fallow doe,
As great with yong as she might goe.
— With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe

She lift up his bloudy hed,
— Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
And kist his wounds that were so red.
— With a downe
She got him up upon her backe,
And carried him to earthen lake.
— With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe

She buried him before the prime,
— Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
She was dead herself ere even-song time.
— With a downe
God send every gentleman,
Such hawks, such hounds, and such a leman.
— With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe

The Twa Corbies de Arthur Rackham (source Wikipedia)

Sources