There were three ravens (Thomas Ravenscroft)

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• (Posted 2020-06-04)  CPDL #59045:     

Editor: Gary D. Cannon (submitted 2020-06-04).   Score information: Letter, 10 pages, 115 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: With all ten verses laid out separately.

• (Posted 2001-06-06)  CPDL #02766: 

Editors: Greg Lindahl and Bernard Roth (submitted 2001-06-06).   Score information: Letter, 2 pages, 169 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: There were Three Ravens
Composer: Thomas Ravenscroft

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1611 in Melismata, no. 20
Description: 

Original text and translations

English text 1. There were three ravens sat on a tree, Down a down hey down hey down. And they were as black as they might be, With a down. Then one of them said to his mate: "Where shall we our breakfast take?" With a down derry derry derry down down. 2. Down in yonder greenfield, There lies a knight slain under his shield; His hounds they lie down at his feet, So well they can their master keep. 3. His hawks they fly so eagerly, There is no fowl dare come him nigh But down there comes a fallow doe, As great with young as she might go. With a down derry derry derry down down. 4. O she lifts up his bloody head, And kissed his wounds that were so red. She got him up upon her back And carried him to an earthen lake. 5. She buried him before the prime, She was dead herself ere evensong time. God send every gentleman Such hounds, such hawks and such a leman.

German translation Translation by Peter Rottländer Drei Raben saßen auf einem Baum sie waren so schwarz wie sie nur sein konnten. Einer sagte zu seinen Gefährten: Wo sollen wir unser Frühstück holen? Drunten auf jenem grünen Feld liegt ein Ritter erschlagen unter seinem Schild. Seine Hunde liegen zu seinen Füßen und bewachen ihren Herrn gut. Seine Falken fliegen eifrig umher, so daß kein Vogel zu nahen wagt. Es kommt eine Hirschkuh vorbei sie ist so trächtig wie es nur eben geht. Sie hob sein blutiges Haupt und küßte in auf seine Wunden so rot. Sie nahm ihn auf ihren Rücken und trug ihn zu einer Grube in der Erde. Sie begrub ihn vor dem Morgenrot und vor dem Abend war sie selbst tot. Gott sende jedem Gentleman solche Falken, solche Hunde und solch eine Geliebte.