"The Blackest Crow" is a variant of several other variant songs such as "The True Lover's Farewell," "My Dearest Dear," "The Thousand Miles," etc. It is made up entirely of what are referred to as "floating verses," lyrics which can be inserted into almost any song, regardless of whatever story is being told. The second verse, referring to the lonesome dove, is what we have dubbed the "universal mourning verse." These words appear over and over in songs ranging from 18th century English ballads to 20th century Country & Western.

Since the melodies were so similar, we paired the song with "Star of the County Down," which is a bit of a floater itself. It belongs to a large family of tunes, which includes, among others, the Scottish "Gilderoy." A star, in Irish vernacular, is a beautiful woman, a likely subject for a singer of "The Blackest Crow." "The Star of the County Down" takes its name from Downpatrick, where St. Patrick is said to have been buried

Lyrics

The blackest crow that ever flew will surely turn to white,
If ever I prove false to you, bright day will turn to night,
Bright day will turn to night my love, the elements will mourn,
If ever I prove false to you, the seas will rage and burn

Oh, don’t you see that lonesome dove, he flies from pine to pine.
He’s mourning for his own true love just like I mourn for mine,
Just like I mourn for mine, my love, believe me when I say,
You are the only one I’ll love until my dying day.

I wish my heart were made of glass wherein you might behold,
That there your name is written dear, in letters made of gold.
In letters made of gold my dear, believe me when I say,
You are the only one for me until my dying day.