286. The Twa Corbies (Child 26) - (Traditional)

A nineteenth-century variation of a less cynical earlier song - "The Three Ravens". In this story the fallen knight is quickly deserted by his hawk, his hound and his woman, all of whom remained loyal in the three-bird version.

I learnt this song as a poem when I was at school. It has been recorded by Maddy Pryor, but I first heard it sung by Scottish singer, Jean Redpath, many years ago.

Glossary:

gang = go
fail = turf
dyke = ditch
wot = know
kens = knows
haus-bane = neck bone
e'en = eyes
theek = thatch

For a playlist of all my a capella songs:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E81659B9EA983BB2

You can also watch a playlist of my renditions of the Child ballads:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B2D0D5657EA394E4

For lyrics and chords of my songs go to my website: http://www.raymondcrooke.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• ballad
• death
• loyalty
• betrayal
• three
• ravens

[TheRealAshkelon]

Thank you, sir! This version is the one I learned first as well, I like the turns you've put to it!

[raymondcrooke]

@TheRealAshkelon Thanks. I've always liked this song.

[indiciaobscure]

I love this version. Where are you from?

[raymondcrooke]

Australia.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks for that information, haitipi.

[haitipi]

@nolicnotrut

In cased you are still looking. The lyrics to An Alarc'h in the Brezhoneg language can be found here: lyricstime com / traditional-an-alarc-h-lyrics.­html

YouTube won't allow me to put the who URL

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks.

[raysteer]

Well sung my man!

[nolicnotrut]

Thanks, Raymond.

I completely agree with your remark about the irrelevance of competition.

I think it was Martin Carthy who said something like, "The worst thing you can do to a traditional song is NOT sing it!"

Good wishes, as ever.

[raymondcrooke]

Competition is pretty much irrelevant in folk music. I always enjoy getting video responses and hearing other interpretations of the songs I sing. Thanks, Colin.