The Three Ravens- A History of Britain

"The Three Ravens" is an English language folk ballad, printed in the song book Melismata compiled by Thomas Ravenscroft and published in 1611, but it is perhaps older than that. The song features in Simon Schama's A History of Britain, particularly in the episodes "The Body of the Queen", "The British Wars" and "The Two Winstons." The lyrics for this version differ from the original.

Lyrics:
There were three ravens sat on a tree,
downe a downe, hay downe, a downe,
They were as black as they might be.
with a downe, downe, downe
Then one of them said to his mate,
Where shall we now our breakfast take?
With a downe, derrie, derrie, downe, downe.

Down in yonder dear green field,
downe a downe, hay downe, a downe,
There lies a Knight slain under his shield,
with a downe, downe, downe
His hounds they lie down at his feet,
So well do they their Master keep,
With a downe, derrie, derrie, downe, downe.

His hawks they fly so eagerly,
downe a downe, hay downe, a downe,
There's no fowl dare him come nie
with a downe, downe, downe
Down there comes a fallow Doe,
As great with young as she might go,
With a downe, derrie, derrie, downe, downe.

She lifted up his bloody head,
downe a downe, hay downe, a downe,
And kissed his wounds that were so red,
with a downe, downe, downe
She got him up upon her back,
And carried him to earthen lake,
With a downe, derrie, derrie, downe, downe.

She buried him before the prime,
Oh derrie
She was dead herself ere euen-song time.
God send every gentleman,
Such hawks, such hounds, and such a Leman

Please be kind. This is my first video.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• history
• of
• britain
• simon
• schama
• three
• ravens

[shadowbug8]

Thank you a million times over for sharing this piece of music! It is my FAVORITE song from the album. I was enchanted when I heard it on "The Body of the Queen" and I have been searching EVERYWHERE to find it again. I wish so much I could buy the soundtrack on CD, but it has virtually vanished. Thank you again for sharing this wonderful music! :-)

[cszemis]

@shadowbug8 I got my copy from Amazon.

amazon.co.uk/History-Britain-V­arious-Artists/dp/B00005AWDK/r­ef=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=­1288829607&sr=1-3

[akmoeggenborg]

do you happen to have any of the other music from the series?  it was all excellent

[cszemis]

@akmoeggenborg Yes I do actually. Well I have what was provided on the History of Britain soundtrack so none of the really cool instrumentals are there but the songs and chants are.

[geoffrodriguez]

Just watched "The Body of the Queen" and had to try and find this song. Thank you so much for uploading. I thought I'd never find it.

[BackAgainize]

EPIC...why can't the world embrace civilization for a change>

[sarsfield7]

thank you ever so much for sharing this wonderful version .

[JohnCoultonTrumpet]

Thank you so much for putting on Youtube - an amazing arrangement!

[dilbert250]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WaftyHippyLass]

Spinetingling version of this song - thanks for uploading! :)

[Nockahomer95]

German Version (Rabenballade) is much better. But that's not bad.