Tam Lin

A series of tuftings from autumn 2020.

Tam Lin / Tambling / Tamlane is a Scottish Child Ballad that has been performed by many folk musicians. One of the first known printed versions of the ballad is from The Complaynt of Scotland, a 1549 book of folklore and stories aiming to prove that Scotland should remain separate from England. I was introduced to the ballad through Fairport Convention and Anne Briggs’ versions, from 1969 and 1971 respectively. ​

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 there came young Tam Lin saying, "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!"

All the ladies of the hall are sat playing chess

Except the Lady Janet, she's green as any glass.

And all the ladies of the hall grow red as any rose-

Except the Lady Janet, oh, pale and wan she goes.

Up then spoke the servant girl, she lift her hand and smiled,

"I think my lady has loved too long and now she goes with child."

"Well, if that be so," Janet said, "myself shall bear the blame

There's not a knight in all the 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 say."

​​So Janet got her golden comb,

Made haste to comb her hair,

And she's away to the merry greenwood

As fast as she can tear!

"Oh, tell to me, Tam Lin, " she said, "why came you here to dwell?"

"The Queen of Faeries 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, feared it be myself."

"But tonight is Hallowe'en and the faery folk ride

Those that would their true love win at

Miles 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 that 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 Janet heard the bridle ring

She heeded what he did say and young Tam Lin did win

Then up spoke the Faery Queen, her face red as any blood-

"I should have tore out your eyes, Tam Lin,

And put in two eyes of wood!!"