Summary
An unnamed woman leaves a party to travel to Carterhall and summon Tam Lin. He is slated to be sacrificed to the king of Hell that night, and he bids her farewell. She travels to the kirk yard to await the Elf Queen's parade, and grab hold of Tam Lin. She holds onto him for an hour as he transforms, and frees him from his fate.
Tam-a-Lin
- She skips beyond the fire-ring's light,
Leaves the piper's tune behind,
Skips through moonlight, through the glens,
Pass through the wild and moss, wood and vine
Oh to call Tam-a-lin with a broken rose,
On All Soul's Eve as the goose wind blows,
Oh in Carterhall, and no one knows.
Yo hee ho, Tam-a-lin. - A mortal man in magic twined,
Now she casts this very night
Lived as fae, oh for seven years,
Now to die, before the light,
As a tribute to the King of Hell.
None can break the Elf-Queen's spell.
So away, my love, and fare ye well,
Yo hee ho, Tam-a-lin - But true love dares to test the fae,
So she runs to the kirk yard fast,
There to hide by the old stone cross,
Till midnight comes at last.
When the faerie queen parades her knights
Within the ken of human sight,
Oh to catch Tam-a-lin and to hold him tight.
Yo hee ho, Tam-a-lin - Yo hee ho, Tam-a-lin
Yo hee ho, hey Tam-a-lin
Yo hee ho, Tam-a-lin
Yo hee ho, Tam-a-lin
Yo hee ho, Tam-a-lin - Within her arms his shape did change
In teeth and claws, well she showed no fear.
In flesh and blades, in ice and fire
In pain and horror, well she held him dear.
Well the hour past, broke the sorcery
The Elf Queen raged but was forced to flee
And Tam Lin and his love were free.
Yo hee ho, Tam-a-lin. - Yo hee ho, Tam-a-lin
Yo hee ho, hey Tam-a-lin
Yo hee ho, Tam-a-lin
Yo hee ho, Tam-a-lin
Yo hee ho, Tam-a-lin
Yo hee ho, Tam-a-lin
Version Notes
Not entirely certain on the transcription on this one. Corrections welcome.
Added to site: August 2014