The Three Ravens (The Three Crows)- Gentry (NC) 1917 Sharp MS
[Published by Bronson in Singing Tradition of Child's Popular Ballads from a Sharp MS. I don't know why this was not included in EFFSA. This version uses the Johnny Fill Up the Bowl/When Johnny Comes Marching Home structure and melody. Bronson uses the generic Sharp title, The Three Ravens, but it should be "The Three Crows." Listen to a similar version: Peggy Seeger
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
The Three Crows (The Three Ravens)- Gentry (NC) 1917 Sharp MS
There was three crows sat on a tree
O Billy MacGee MacGore,
There was three crows sat on a tree,
O Billy MacGee MacGore,
There was three crows sat on a tree
And they were as black as crows could be,
And they all flapped their wings and cried:
Caw, caw, caw,
And they all flapped their wings and cried:
Billy MacGee MacGore.
Said one old crow unto his mate:
What will we do for grub to eat?
There is a dead horse on yonders plain,
Just by some cruel butcher's slain.
We'll perch ourselves on his back-bone,
And pick his eyes out one by one.