Definitions

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  • adverb Obsolete spelling of down.
  • preposition Obsolete spelling of down.

Etymologies

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Examples

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  • song "The Three Ravens"

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    “The Three Ravens” is an English folk ballad, printed in the Ravenscroft’s folk song compilation Melismata published in 1611. The song is very likely older than this first publication.

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    There were three Ravens sat on a tree,

    Downe a downe, hey downe, hey downe.

    They were as blacke as blacke could be—with a downe.

    Then one of them said to his mate,

    Where shall we our breakefast take?

    With a downe derrie, derry, derry, downe, downe.

    Downe in yonder greene field,

    Downe a downe, hey downe, hey downe.

    There lies a Knight slain under his shield—with a downe.

    His hounds they lie downe at his feete

    So well do they their Master keepe

    With a downe derrie, derry, derry, downe, downe.

    His Hawkes they flie so eagerly,

    Downe a downe, hey downe, hey downe.

    There's no fowle that dare him come nie—with a downe.

    Downe there comes a fallow Doe,

    As great with yong as she might go

    With a downe derrie, derry, derry, downe, downe.

    She lifted up his bloody head,

    Downe a downe, hey downe, hey downe.

    And kiss'd his wounds that were so red—with a downe.

    She got him up upon her backe

    And carried him to earthen lake.

    With a downe derrie, derry, derry, downe, downe.

    She buried him before the prime,

    Downe a downe, hey downe, hey downe.

    She was dead her selfe ere evensong time—with a downe.

    God sent every gentleman,

    Such hawkes, such hounds, and such a leman

    With a downe derrie, derry, derry, downe, downe.

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    https://genius.com/Anonymous-the-three-ravens-annotated

    February 29, 2024