The Three Ravens - A 17th Century English Folk Song

This old folk song first appeared in a compilation by Thomas Ravenscroft published in 1611. It is thought to originate from an earlier carol, 'Corpus Christi,' which indicates that it may have it's original as far back as the 15th Century!
The song tells the story of a Knight that has died. His trusty hounds and hawks protect his body from the three ravens, which is then taken and buried by a fallow doe. The doe is thought to be a metaphor for his pregnant lover. The word 'leman' in the final verse comes from the old English word 'lēofmann' which means 'beloved' and came to mean a sweetheart or mistress. The "lover" then dies of a broken heart.
My costume here is based on designs from the mid seventeenth century, contemporary to when this song would have been performed.
The location here is The Black Swan in York, Yorkshire, England, and dates back to 1560. I couldn't help but wonder if this song had been performed here before, hundreds of years ago!
Video by OliBo Group.

[@juancarloscolorado6559]

The aesthetics of the image caught my attention, thinking it was a music video and I couldn't have been more wrong... I came across a work of art, beautiful melody, melodious voice... Sublime interpretation, I thank you for creating auditory beauty.

[@HenryBard]

Thank you, I’m glad you like it!

[@Flat8G]

I have listened to many renditions of this song and this is by far the best, the video also! Now I need to go through all your other material!

[@monkberrymoon3634]

happened upon this wee tavern and so nice to see the old songs still being sung. this is glorious!

[@HenryBard]

Thank you! I’ll be performing more of these old songs in 2024. Thanks for listening.

[@juancarloscolorado6559]

@@HenryBard please.

[@downcastcharter5080]

I hope the algorithm smiles upon your talent and this takes off!

[@HenryBard]

Thank you kindly!

[@fredrikkirderf2907]

I looked up 17th Century English Folk music because I'd heard western music originated from this style and you can really hear it. Thanks this deserves more views

[@HenryBard]

Thank you Fredrik!

[@BirdsPianoAcademy]

Looks and sounds great!

[@HenryBard]

Thanks Arthur!

[@thedestroyerofcheese]

I can’t wait to see more from you!

[@HenryBard]

Thank you, I’m working on it!

[@Kai_Peters]

This is some good production value

[@HenryBard]

Thank you Kai!

[@sacredkinetics.lns.8352]

👽 Wonderful piece of art. My soul vibrates by the memories of my past lifes.

[@kristenrosales2919]

Absolutely spectacular and wonderful to hear!! I loved that you performed in a Jacobean costume, in addition to the background.

[@HenryBard]

Thank you Kristen! I have lots more period costumes for future music too, glad it is appreciated.

[@Askold]

Love the music and the period setting, outstanding job!

[@HenryBard]

Thank you 🙂

[@lindalotiel4882]

I am here because I am reading "Finnegans Wake" by James Joyce and there is a reference to this song in it. But I am stunned by this performance and now will listen to more songs by you, even if Joyce never mentioned then. Thank you for this!

[@HenryBard]

I didn’t know about this reference Linda, thanks for letting me know and glad you like my version.

[@northernpianomusic]

Love this. ❤ Masterful, all of it.

[@HenryBard]

Thank you 🙂

[@shay2276]

Just beautiful! I would love to see more like this.

[@HenryBard]

Thank you. More coming soon!

[@zoisbekios5239]

This deserves more views! Found you on tiktok... If you make a Witcher 3, something like priscillas song, I bet this will explode! If you are taking requests I would really love to hear Greensleeves from you :D

[@HenryBard]

Thank you. I have lot’s more songs coming soon. Greensleeves will be one in the future. I really appreciate your kind words.

[@benvollans1275]

Amazing!

[@HenryBard]

Thank you Ben.

[@rafeverao4105]

Ahh my favourite folk song of old, thank you dear bard for your hard work and beautiful skill!

[@HenryBard]

Gratitude for your thanks!

[@jackbird5471]

Really good

[@HenryBard]

Thanks Jack.

[@barnob839]

I was just learning this song on my lute, so beautiful sung !

[@HenryBard]

Thank you. Good luck with learning it yourself too!

[@cuttlefishrampant5241]

@barnob839 do you happen to have tablature or sheet music for it?

[@dwaynecamacho3907]

Absolutely excellent performance! I hope you’re able to do more

[@HenryBard]

Thanks Dwayne. More songs coming soon!

[@davidmolloy126]

Superb in all respects from a new subscriber in Lancashire.

[@HenryBard]

Thank you from over the hills in Yorkshire!

[@marco19695]

Awesome ❤

[@HenryBard]

Thanks Marco!

[@anthonymichael7022]

❤😍😍 u deserve thousands of subscribers😭😭 come to my court i headless the last bard

[@livyintheskywithdragons]

👏👏👏👏

[@cuttlefishrampant5241]

Amazing work and arrangement, fastest sub I've ever done! In fact, if you have the lute tab that you wrote for this I would love them! Or if you could let me know where I could find decent tablature for this song that would also be appreciated :)

[@HenryBard]

Thank you for subscribing, I really appreciate it! I’m just playing this from my memory for this one. Check out The Lute Society for an amazing archive of lute music.

[@cuttlefishrampant5241]

@@HenryBard No resource from the Lute Society has tab for this piece, already tried that. Thanks for getting back to me though! If it's alright with you I'll try to copy what you played by ear and scribe that down for the future.

[@elen5871]

lo! i didn't know that 311 song was a cover. wonder why they left out the ravens? this rules.

[@grahamforster4070]

Most excellent, sir! Where did you get that wonderful hat?

[@HenryBard]

Thanks Graham. My friend Paul Ventress made it. Look him up, his work is brilliant.

[@rolleicanon]

Quite possibly much older than that, considering the subject matter.

[@HenryBard]

Absolutley! I love the idea that many of these songs could have originated a lot earlier than before they were written down.

[@vickylbates]

When will your album be out?? 💰💰💰💰 Take my money!!!!

[@HenryBard]

Thanks Vicky. I’ll be releasing more videos soon!