Three Corbels

" Three Corbeaux" (The Three Ravens) (Roud 5) is a popular lovesong of British origin. It is printed in Melismata , a collection of songs compiled by Thomas Ravenscroft and published in 1611. However, it could be even worthier well. More recent versions (accompanied by different music) appeared until the end of the 19th century. Francis James Child recorded of them plusiers versions in his collection entitled " Lovesongs of Child" (Child Ballads) where it is catalogued like the lovesong number 26. There exists also an alternative which is called " Both Corbeaux" who follows almost the same history but which finishes on a more disastrous and cynical note.

Three Corbels

The narration of the lovesong consists of an exchange between three corbels which consider what to eat for the dinner. Between them like possibility a knight occis suggests again, wide on a field. The corbels find, however, that the corpse of the knight is savagely protected by his falcon and its current dog. Moreover, after a time a hind (that several consider to symbolize the beloved of the knight) comes and with tenderness, gains the body of the knight for the burial.

English Text

There were three rauens sat one has tree,

downe has downe, Hay downe, Hay downe,

There were three rauens sat one has tree,

with has downe,

There were three rauens sat one has tree,

They were ace blacke ace they might Be.

With has downe, derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe.

The one off them said to his subdues,

Where shall we our breakfast take?

Downe in yonder greene field,

There dregs has Knight slain under his shield,

His hounds they binds downe At his feete,

So well they edge to their Master keepe,

His Hawkes they flie so eagerly,

There' S No fowle dare him as denies

Downe there comes has fallow Doe,

As great with yong ace she might goe,

She top spin up his bloudy head,

And kist his wounds that were so red,

She got him up upon her backe,

And carried him to earthen lake,

She buried him before the premium,

She was dead her coil era euen-song time.

God send euery gentleman,

Such haukes, such hounds, and such has Leman.

Translation of the Text

Two Corbels

" Both Corbeaux" (The Twa Corbies) on the other hand, finishes in the opposite way. Here the corbels succeed in to make their meal because the dog and the falcon gave up their Master to leave to hunting. As for the beloved of the knight (who is described here explicitly like such); it already took another lover, which seems to suggest that it is guilty assassination.

English Text

Ace I was walking all alane,

I heard twa corbies making has basket;

The tans unto the you other say,

“Where sall we gang and dines to-day?”

'In behint yon auld fail dyke,

I wot there dregs has new slain knight;

And naebody kens that He dregs there,

Goal his hawk, his hound, and lady to fair.

'His hound is to the hunting gane,

His hawk to fetch the wild-fowl hame,

His lady' S ta' in another subdues,

So we may mak our to dine sweet.

'Ye' L sit one his white rise-hamper,

And I' L pike out his bonny blue een;

Wi ae lock O his gowden to hate

We' L, theek our nest when it grows bare.

“Mony has one for him makes basket,

But nane sall ken where He is gane;

Oer his white hampers, when they we bare,

The wind sall blaw for to evermair.”

Translation of the text

When I trotted myself all alone,

I yes have two corbels pushing of the rails.

One towards the other said,

“Where will be dined today?”

“Behind of this old dams cob.

I know some there, again occis, a knight by ground.

And nobody know that he trails there by ground,

except his falcon, its dog and its dulcinée beautiful.

Its dog left to hunting,

its falcon to quérir game birds.

Its lady took another lover,

and thus one can take a succulent meal.

You will perch yourself on the white oses of his neck,

and I will undermine his beautiful blue eyes.

Of a loop of its gilded thatch hair,

one will cover our nests when they are stripped.

Plein with world for him geignent,

but where it went nobody will know.

With the top its oses white stripped,

the wind will blow always forever.

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