Song information On this page you can find the lyrics of the song Tam Lin, artist - Fairport Convention. Date of issue: 30.11.1969
Song language: English
Tam Lin |
| ''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'' |