Tam Lin Balladry
Tam Lein: Child Version 39L
Why version 12 & 1/3?: This version is but
a fragment of Tam Lin, and has been incorporated into the mixed
version called Child's Notes. It does not
have its own number, but as one of the three versions that makes up
the Notes version, it shares a number with that version.
source cited: "Scotch Ballads, Materials for Border
Minstrelsy," No 27, Abbotsford; in the handwriting of William
Laidlaw.
Summary: Warning is given against maidens traveling to
Carterhaugh for fear of Tam Lein. Janet travels to Carterhaugh,
where she finds Tam Lein's steed. When she plucks roses, Tam Lein
appears and questions her presence in the woods without his
permission. She states that she does not need his permission, and
then returns home. Once home she appears to be quite ill.
- I charge ye, a' ye ladies fair,
That wear goud in your hair,
To come an gang bye Carterhaugh,
For young Tam Lien is there.
- Then Janet kilted her green cleadin
Awee aboon her knee,
An she's gane away to Carterhaugh,
As fast as she can dree.
- When Janet cam to Carterhaugh,
Tam Lien was at the wall,
An there he left his steed stannin,
But away he gaed his sell.
- She had na pu'd a red, red rose,
Arose but only thre,
Till up then startit young Tam Lien,
Just at young Jenet's knee.
- "What gars ye pu the rose, Janet,
Briek branches free the tree,
An come an gang by Carterhaugh,
An speir nae leave of me?'
- What need I speir leave o thee, Tam ?
What need I speir leave o thee,
When Carterhaugh is a' mine
My father gas it me ?
- She's kutit up her green cleadin
Awee aboon her knee,
An she's away to her ain bower-door,
As fast as she can dree.
- There war four-an-twentie fair ladies
A' dancin in a chess,
An some war blue an some war green,
But Janet was like the gress.
- 9 There war four-an-twentie fair ladies
A' playin at the ha,
An some war red an som wer white,
But Jennet was like the snaw.
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© 1997-2003 Abigail Acland for all original works unless otherwise noted.
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