Tam Lin Balladry

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The Faerie Queen Went Down to Georgia

Source: Batya "The Toon" Wittenberg

The Faerie Queen Went Down to Georgia

  1. The Faerie Queen went down to Georgia, she was hunting for a man to steal
    Found a mortal boy to be a brand new toy, he was really quite ideal.
    When her band came across this young girl waving a fiddle and waving it hot,
    And she shouted to the Fair Folk, "Stop right there, 'cause that's my man you've got!"
  2. The Faerie Queen looked down at her from astride her faerie steed,
    Said "I observe you've got the nerve, but skill is what you need.
    You may play pretty good fiddle, girl, but the same is true for me;
    This fiddle in my hand against your man says I'll play better than thee."
  3. The girl said "My name's Jenny, now let's hear your violin:
    I'll bet mortal trust against Faerie dust, 'cause I'm the best there's ever been."
  4. Jenny, rosin up your bow and play your fiddle well,
    Or the Faerie Queen will take your man and tithe him off to hell
    Her fiddle's carved from finest wood and strung with silver string,
    But only you can make your fiddle sing.
  5. So the Faerie Queen she smiled then, said "Guess I'll start this show,"
    And sparks flew from her fingertips as she rosined up her bow.
    They handed her a violin as black as she was fey,
    And the band of faeries joined in as she started in to play.
    (instrumental)
  6. When the Faerie finished, Jenny said, "Not bad, but you ain't won;
    Just set there on that horse of yours, an' let me show you how it's done!"
  7. Fire on the Mountain, run, boys, run
    Faerie folk flee from the rising sun
    Lovin' in the moonlight, sun and rain
    Look into my eyes and call my name
    (instrumental)
  8. Well the Faerie Queen looked pale and grim, 'cause she knew that she'd been beat,
    She set the boy and the fiddle on the ground at Jenny's feet.
    Jenny laughed and sang out, "Lady, you shoulda stuck with ol' Tam Lin,
    I done told you once, you Faerie bitch, I'm the best there's ever been."
  9. She played Fire on the Mountain, run, boys, run
    Faerie folk flee from the rising sun
    Lovin' in the moonlight, sun and rain
    Look into my eyes and call my name

Notes

The above creation is a filk song created by Batya Wittenberg, based upon the Charlie Daniels Band song "The Devil Went Down To Georgia", and inspired by the Heather Alexander song "Faerie Queen". For more of Batya's work, see her Filk page.

Added to site May 2001