פיטר פול ומרי שלושה עורבים Peter, Paul Mary Three Ravens

The Three Ravens (Child 26, Roud 5) is an English folk ballad, printed in the song book Melismata1 compiled by Thomas Ravenscroft and published in 1611, but it is perhaps older than that. Newer versions (with different music) were recorded right up through the 19th century. Francis James Child recorded several versions in his Child Ballads (catalogued as number 26). A Scottish version is called Twa Corbies ( Two Ravens or Two Crows ), and it follows a similar general story, but with a darker twist. There were three rauens2 sat on a tree, downe a downe, hay downe, hay downe, 3 There were three rauens sat on a tree, with a downe, There were three rauens sat on a tree, They were as blacke as they might be. With a downe, derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe. The one of them said to his mate, Where shall we our breakfast take Downe in yonder greene field, There lies a Knight slain br, br,