The Three Ravens - Andreas Scholl

Traditional English song, written in Early English, from
Thomas Ravenscroft's collection, published in 1611

"There were three Ravens sat on a tree, Downe a downe, hey downe, hey downe.
They were as blacke as blacke could be-with a downe
Then one of them said to his mate,
Where shall we our breakefast take? with a downe derrie, derry, derry, downe, downe

Downe in yonder greene field, downe a downe...
There lies a Knight slain under his shield-with a downe...
His hounds they lie downe at his feete
So well do they their Master keepe-with a downe...

His Hawkes they flie so eagerly, downe a downe...
There's no fowle that dare him come nie. with a downe...
Downe there comes a fallow Doe,
As great with yong as she might go-with a downe ...

She lifted up his bloody head, downe a downe...
And kiss'd 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 ...

She buried him before the prime, downe a downe...
She was dead her selfe ere even song time - with a downe...
God sent every gentleman,
Such hawkes, such hounds, and such a leman. with a downe

Category:

Music

Tags:

• three
• ravens
• traditional
• lute
• early
• music
• medieval
• Andreas
• Scholl

[Madpossum]

Beautiful! Thanks for posting, 5 Stars, no doubt!

I don't suppose anyone knows where I could find a recording of this as MP3 or on CD?

[civileso]

It is in Scholl's album called "English Folk Songs and Lute Songs" that he recorded with Andreas Martin playing the lute. Absolutely a must have album!

[civileso]

It was released under Harmonia Mundi label

[MarkBellinghaus]

Possibly the world, not only the US...but looking forward to hear your interpretation of those Marilyn songs. Can you upload them? You have at least one interested listener. Quality is better than Quantity! ;O)

[civileso]

I uploaded one of my recordings but I am afraid the quality of it is not the cat's meow .. I hope you won't be laughing out loud and unsubscribing after listening:)) I should be ashamed of myself for posting this:))

[civileso]

And no, it is not a M Monroe song.. Maybe next time..

[Josefrainer]

Thank you so much for this deeply touching song, sung so very beautifully. And thanks too for score and lyrics.

[Gilnar13]

I agree, but cross isn't just a smybol of death, but mainly a symbol of sacrifice, victory OVER death and salvation.

[allenjmsmith]

This is not "early English." This is Early Modern English.

Old English was spoken from between at least the mid-5th century and the mid-12th century. Middle English was spoken when the Normans came in 1066. Modern English was spoken after the Great Vowel Shift in the mid 16th century. I'm just a dumb American, and even I know that.

Damn, this guy is good!

[evolution031680]

@TobiShinobii There were no spelling rules in 1611; words were spelled in many different ways back then.

[TobiShinobii]

0:46 lol, they missspelled green!!

[16Arson]

Love it ^_^

[tkbewunderin79]

I have heard a version here in Yt with a boy alto, where is it?

It would be cool an interpretation with the boy Connor Burrowes, but I think he made no recordings of that.

Best wishes.

[caroltubeyou]

My choir. Schola Cantorum, is doing two bay area concerts on 3/12 and 3/13/2011 -- and one of the arrangements is of this song.We also have some wonderful, light music too; folk songs from the British Isles, as well as some great arrangements of American folk music by Dawn Reyen, our assistant director.

[caroltubeyou]

Beautiful voice, so pure and clear. And he interprets this sad, sad song so beautifully.

[locomotifx]

This is such a gorgeous song, and Scholl/ lutenist convey it wonderfully! Thankyou Civileso.

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

I really love this song

[nitewulf2hell]

nice...!

but the notes and the sung tones don't always really match O.o...