Tam Lin Balladry

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Tam Lin: Fairport Convention

Source: Fairport Convention

album: Liege and Lief

Title: Tam Lin

Site reference number: 18

Summary

Janet goes to Carterhaugh despite the warnings against it, to pick roses. There she encounters Tam Lin, and they argue. She returns to her family home, where her father observes that she is pregnant, and she refuses to say who her lover is. She returns to the woods to speak with Tam Lin again, and he reveals his human heritage and the threat against his life, including instructions on how she can save him. She does this, and angers the Queen of Faeries in the process.

Tam Lin

  1. I forbid you maidens all
    that wear gold in your hair
    To travel to Carterhaugh
    for young Tam Lin is there
  2. None that go by Carterhaugh
    but they leave him a pledge
    Either their mantles of green
    or else their maidenheads.
  3. Janet tied her kirtle green
    a bit above her knee
    And she's gone to Carterhaugh
    as fast as go can she.
  4. She'd not pulled a double rose,
    a rose but only two
    When up then came young Tam Lin
    says "Lady pull no more"
  5. "And why come you to Carterhaugh
    without command from me?"
    "I'll come and go" young Janet said
    "And ask no leave of thee".
  6. Janet tied her kirtle green
    a bit above her knee
    And she's gone to her father
    as fast as go can she.
  7. Well up then spoke her father clear
    and he spoke meek and mild
    "Oh and alas Janet" he said
    "I think you go with child."
  8. "Well if that be so" Janet said
    "Myself shall bear the blame
    There's not a knight in all your hall
    shall get the baby's name.
  9. For if my love were an earthly knight
    as he is an elfin grey
    I'd not change my own true love
    for any knight you have."
  10. So Janet tied her kirtle green
    a bit above her knee
    And she's gone to Carterhaugh
    as fast as go can she.
  11. "Oh tell to me Tam Lin" she said
    "Why came you here to dwell?"
    "The Queen of Fairies caught me
    when from my horse I fell
  12. And at the end of seven years
    she pays a tithe to hell
    I so fair and full of flesh
    and fear'ed be myself
  13. But tonight is Halloween
    and the fairy folk ride,
    Those that would their true love win
    at mile's cross they must hide.
  14. First let pass the horses black
    and then let pass the brown
    Quickly run to the white steed
    and pull the rider down,
  15. For I'll ride on the white steed,
    the nearest to the town
    For I was an earthly knight,
    they give me that renown.
  16. Oh they will turn me in your arms
    to a newt or a snake
    But hold me tight and fear not,
    I am your baby's father.
  17. And they will turn me in your arms
    into a lion bold
    But hold me tight and fear not
    and you will love your child,
  18. And they will turn me in your arms
    into a naked knight
    But cloak me in your mantle
    and keep me out of sight".
  19. In the middle of the night
    she heard the bridle ring
    She heeded what he did say
    and young Tam Lin did win.
  20. Then up spoke the Fairy Queen,
    an angry Queen was she
    "Woe betide her ill-farred face,
    an ill death may she die
  21. Had I known Tam Lin" she said
    "This night I did see
    I'd have looked him in the eyes
    and turned him to a tree."

Video

Version Notes

Originally provided by Willem Doornkamp, who ran The Sandy Denny Page (once at http://utopia.knoware.nl/users/doornkam/index.html) .

Added to site: September 1997

Featured in the movie How I live Now