Tam Lin Balladry
The Tam Lin Version Three: Child 39C
Site Reference Number: 3
Source cited: The Ancient and Modern Scots
Songs, 1769, p.300
summary: This version is a fairly small
fragment of the entire tale, consisting of little more than one
scene where Jennet meets up with Thomas after pulling roses and he
instructs her on how to rescue him. This scene is set at night "by
the ae light o the moon" and has very little to it other than
Thomas's lines. It does not include anything more than a passing
reference to pregnancy nor the actual scene of rescue (though we
can hopefully assume it takes place) nor does Thomas claim to be
anything other than a faerie.
- She's prickt hersell and prind hersell,
By the ae light o the moon,
And she's awa to Kertonha,
As fast as she can gang.
- `What gars ye pu the rose, Jennet?
What gars ye break the tree
What gars you gang to Kertonha
Without the leave of me?'
- `Yes, I will pu the rose, Thomas,
And I will break the trees
For Kertonha should be my ain,
Nor ask I leave of thee.'
- `Full pleasant is the fairy land,
And happy there to dwell;
I am a fairy, lyth and limb,
Fair maiden, view me well.
- `O pleasant is the fairy land,
How happy there to dwell!
But ay at every seven years end
We're a'dung down to hell.
- `The morn is good Halloween,
And our court a' will ride;
If ony maiden wins her man,
Then she may be his bride.
- `But first ye'll let the black gae by,
And then ye'll let the brown;
Then I'll ride on a milk-white steed,
You'll pu me to the ground.
- `And first, I'll grow into your arms
An esk but and an edder;
Had me fast, let me not gang,
I'll be your bairn's father.
- `Next, I'll grow into your arms
A toad but and an eel;
Had me fast, le me not gang,
If you do love me leel.
- `Last, I'll grow into your arms
A dove but and a swan;
Then, maiden fair, you'll let me go
I'll be the perfect man.
© 1997-2003 Abigail Acland for all original works unless otherwise noted.
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