Tamlin Page

I forbid you, maidens all, that wear gawd in your hair,

To travel to Carterhaugh for young Tam Lin lives there.

Them that go by Carterhaugh, but they leave him a pledge;

Either their mantel 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 not pull the double rose, a rose but only two,

When up then came young Tam Lin says, "Lady pull no more.

And why came you to Carterhaugh without command from me?"

"I come and go now," 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.

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

"Ever and alas Janet," he said, " I fear you go with child."

"Well though that be," so Janet said. "Myself shall bear the blame.

There is not a knight in all your hall, shall have the bairnie's name.

For if my love were an earthly knight, as he is an Elfin brae,

I'll 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 Faeries caught me when from my horse I fell.

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

I so young and fair of face, I feared it be myself.

But tonight is Halloween and the Faerie will ride,

And they that would their true love win, at Miles Cross they must hide.

The first knight pass, the horse is black, and then let pass the brown;

Quickly run to the white steed and pull the rider down.

For I ride on the white steed nearest to the town,

For I was once 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.

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.

And then up spoke the Faerie 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 burned him in the eyes and turned him to a tree."