The Three Crows- Christy's New Songster- 1863
[This is one of three minstrel versions published in the US in the 1860s, ironically right before the Civil War. It's from Christy's New Songster and Black Joker; New York, Dick & Fitzgerald, 1863 and features the "lining out" style of singing found in the early churches.
R. Matteson 2012]
The Three Crows- From Christy's New Songster and Black Joker; New York, Dick & Fitzgerald, 1863.
As sung by BYRON CHRISTY, JAMES BRYANT, H. WILSON, and G. WRIGHTMAN
[Spoken] THREE crows they sat upon a tree,
As black as any crows could be.
(Spoken) Sing.
(Repeat the above)
[Spoken] One of these crows, said unto his mate,
What shall we do for something to eat?
(Spoken) Sing.
(Repeat as above)
[Spoken] 'Way on that side of yonder plain,
There lies a horse but three days slain.
(Spoken) Sing.
(Repeat as above)
[Spoken] We'll jump right on to his backbone,
And pick out his eyes, one by one.
(Spoken) Sing.
(Repeat as above)