There were two corbies sat in a tree,
Doun, a-doun, hey, doun, a-doun
There were two corbies sat in a tree,
Wi’ a doun,
There were two corbies sat in a tree
And they were as black as black maun be,
Wi’ a doun, derry, derry, derry doun, doun
The ane o’ them said to his mak,
“Whar shall we our breakfast tak?”
“O, doun in yonder fallow field
There lies a knicht slain under his shield.
Ye shall feed his paps between,
And I’ll peck oot his bonnie blue eyen.”
“His hawks, they fly so eagerly,
There’s no bird dare him come a-nigh.”
“His hounds, they guard him faithfully,
And keep him safe from such as we.”
Then doun there came a fallow doe
As great with young as she maun go.
She’s ta’en him up upon her back
And buried him i’ the earthen lake.
God graunt to every gentleman
Such hawks, such hounds,
And such a leman.
Wi’ a doun, derry, derry, derry, doun, doun.
– Traditional Scots ballad