The Three Ravens- Holmes c. 1825 Kidson
[This was collected by Frank Kidson from John Holmes who remembered the air from his mother's singing from about 1825. This version was covered by Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger on The Long Harvest:]
Listen: Ewan MacColl
Listen: Ewan MacColl
There were three ravens on a tree
A-down, A-down, Heigh ho!
There were three ravens on a tree
Heigh ho!
The middlemost raven said to me,
There lies a dead man at yon tree.
A-down, a-down, a derry down, Heigh-ho!
There comes a lady full of woe
A-down, A-down, Heigh ho!
There comes a lady full of woe
Heigh ho!
There comes a lady full of woe
[Was great with child] as she could go.
A-down, a-down, a derry down, Heigh-ho!
Who's this who killed my own true love?
A-down, A-down, Heigh ho!
Who's this who killed my own true love?
Heigh ho!
I hope in heaven he'll never rest
Nor e'er enjoy that blessed place.
A-down, a-down, a derry down, Heigh-ho!