The Three Crows- Watson (MO-OK) pre1910 Moores
[From Moores- Ballads and Folk Songs from the Southwest. Their notes follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
12 The Three Ravens
THE age of this ballad (Child, No. 26) is not known, but it was first printed in 1611. In Scotland it goes by the name of The Twa Corbies. Both English and Scottish versions ippear frequently in songbooks.
Texts and references may be found in Belden, 31-33; Botkin, 63 ; Brewster, 53-56; Chappell, 15-16; Child, I, 223-24; Cox, 31-32; Creighton and Senior, 21; Davis, 137-45; Henry, 49; Hudson, 72-73; Journal, vol. XX,l54 (Beally), Vol. xxr, i73 (Tetrock), vol. xxvll, 63 (Reed smith), vol. XXVIII , 201 (Tetlock), Vol. XXI, 225 (Cox); Linscott, 289; Morris, 254; owens,42-44; Randolph, I, 74-76; Scarborough, Song Catcher, 193-95; and Sharp, I, 64.
"The Three Crows," sung by C. S. Watson of Beggs. Mr. Watson was born in Missouri and came to Oklahoma in 1910 when he was fifteen years old. He learned his songs from his parents, who were also born in Missouri.
Three carrion crows in yonder tree,
Johnny Magee, Johnny Magee.
Three carrion crows in yonder tree,
Magee, Magee.
One looked at the others and said to his mate,
"What shall we do for grub to eat?"
And they all flapped their wings and cried,
"Caw, caw, caw."
"There's an old dead horse in yon hog lot,"
Johnny Magee, Johnny Magee.
"There's an old dead horse in yon hog lot,"
Magee, Magee.
"We'll light upon him in the sun
And pick his eyes out one by one."
And they all flapped their wings and cried,
"Caw, caw, caw."