Tam Lin of the Elves (feat. Heather Dale)

One fortnight past came you to Carterhaugh
 And two roses you plucked without care.
 Surely you learned, if you take what is mine
 That your trespass will summon me there?
 Here you are once again, Janet so bold,
 Who declared that this wood was your land.
 Are you now bashful? I see you recall
 How you trembled when I took your hand.
 For you'd ignored advice.
 You knew the tales they tell
 Of ev'ry maiden's price
 If she met Tam Lin of the Elves.
 Pull you no more, lady, that's not a rose
 But an herb that grows deadly and wild.
 I know the weed, it's procured for the use
 Of a woman to rid her of child.
 Is that the way of it, Janet my sweet,
 Have you come back confess'd of your plight?
 Told your lord father that you're fathered on
 I'm not this thing you scorn,
 Though I forget myself.
 I was of woman born
 Ere I was Tam Lin of the Elves.
 I was a lad in my grandfather's hunt
 When I careless from saddle was thrown,
 Caught by a lady–the Queen of the Elves–
 And she stole me away as her own.
 Years have I spent among Elf-Land's delights
 And the Queen's beauty held me in thrall.
 Oft here on Carterhaugh stumbled a maid,
 And my pleasure I'd take of them all.
 But then I looked on you,
 And something new I felt.
 'Tis since that day I rue
 That I am Tam Lin of the Elves.
 Though I returned to their magical realm,
 It has savored me naught since we met.
 Dark Faery hearts do not know mortal love
 But my own heart won't let me forget.
 I, before this, was the Queen's favored knight,
 But now, Janet, I'm deeply afeard.
 Faery-land's magic, it comes with a price
 At the ending of each seventh year.
 Tonight is Hallow's E'en,*
 They pay a tithe to Hell.
 I think tonight the Queen
 Will give up Tam Lin of the Elves.
 Save your child's father from Faery you might,
 But my love, it's a dangerous task.
 And were it any lass other than you
 I would not such a favor dare ask.
 At Dryburgh Abbey you'll find an old well
 And from there, at Miles Cross you must hide.
 Round about midnight you'll hear horse approach:
 One by one will the Elven host ride.
 Past you the the black will speed,
 Let pass the brown as well.
 Run to the the milk-white steed
 And pull down Tam Lin of the Elves.
 Still now, my dearest, I'm bound to the Queen,
 So I know not what form I will take.
 I'll be an eagle who tries to pull free–
 The next moment, a venomous snake...
 Then will she make me a bear in your arms
 And I'll bite and I'll and claw at you so.
 Next I'll become a red-hot iron brand,
 And I'll burn you to make you let go!
 But if you hold me fast,
 Carry me down the dell,
 I can be yours at last
 And no more Tam Lin of the Elves.
 My love she carried me near half a mile,
 Although ev'ry step wracked her with pain.
 Threw the hot iron in that holy well,
 And a naked man took out again.
 Then did she cover me out of their sight
 In her green mantle, smelling of sage.
 Just as we came to the safe Abbey doors
 Did the Faery Queen cry out in rage:
 "I'd pluck his eyes away
 That my fair land beheld!
 I want her life as pay
 Who took my Tam Lin of the Elves!"
 But she had done it, son,
 Fair Janet broke the spell,
 And for her husband won
 Your father, Tam Lin of the Elves.