Tam Lin

The words are different from the original (child) version but this is a very close approximation of the song as performed by sandy denny.



''i forbid you maidens all that wear gold in your hair

To travel to carterhaugh, for young tam lin is there



None that go by carterhaugh but they leave him a pledge

Either their mantles of green or else their maidenhead''



Janet tied her kirtle green a bit above her knee

And she's gone to carterhaugh as fast as go can she



She'd not pulled a double rose, a rose but only two

When up then came young tam lin, says,''lady, pull no more''



''and why come you to carterhaugh without command from me?''

''i'll come and go'', young janet said, ''and ask no leave of thee''



Janet tied her kirtle green a bit above her knee

And she's gone to her father as fast as go can she



Well, up then spoke her father dear and he spoke meek and mild

``oh, and alas, janet,'' he said, ''i think you go with child''



``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



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''



So janet tied her kirtle green a bit above her knee

And she's gone to carterhaugh as fast as go can she



``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



And at the end of seven years she pays a tithe to hell

I so fair and full of flesh and fear it be myself



But tonight is halloween and the fairy folk ride

Those that would let true love win at mile's cross they must bide



So first let pass the horses black and then let pass the brown

Quickly run to the white steed and pull the rider down



For i'll ride on the white steed, the nearest to the town

For i was an earthly knight, they give me that renown



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



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



And they will turn me in your arms into a naked knight

But cloak me in your mantle and keep me out of sight''



In the middle of the night she heard the bridle ring

She heeded what he did say and young tam lin did win



Then up spoke the fairy queen, an angry queen was she

Woe betide her ill-far'd face, an ill death may she die



''oh, had i known, tam lin,'' she said, ''what this night i did see

I'd have looked him in the eyes and turned him to a tree''




more free lyrics