Three Ravens

from In The Old Style by Ginger Ackley

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“Three Ravens” is a very old English ballad, first published in 1611 by Thomas Ravenscroft from more ancient sources. It is also included in the Child Ballads in several different versions – the most known, probably is “Twa Corbies.” I remember hearing this so long ago – way before Peter, Paul and Mary. It was the melody that drew me in, then the story played in my head like a movie. In the song, the word “lack” means lake and is pronounced more like the Scottish “loch.” A “leman” was a lover or a consort and “fallow doe” was a poetic way of referring to the beautiful (and pregnant) young woman.

lyrics

There were three ravens sat on a tree, down-a-down hey down hey down
They were black as black might be, with a down
The 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, down-a-down hey down hey down
No other fowl dare him come nigh, with a down
Down there comes a fallow doe, as heavy with young as she might go
With a down, derry derry derry, down, down

She lifted up his bloody head, down-a-down, down-a-down hey down hey down
And kissed his wounds that were so red, with a down
She got him up upon her back and carried him to the earthen lack
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 evening song time, with a down
God send every gentle man, Such hawks, such hounds and such leman
With a down derry derry derry down, down...
With a down derry derrry derry down, down

credits

from In The Old Style, released March 1, 2012

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Ginger Ackley Cleveland, Ohio

Starting out in Texas, Ginger made it to Ohio as quickly as she could! Her music is full of magic and stories, seasoned with a love of folk and Celtic music. Her penny whistles often accompany her, too!

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