Mythology & Folklore
Tam Lin (Child 39C)
From The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, ed. F. J. Child (1882–98)
She's prickt hersell and prind hersell,
By the ae light o the moon,
And she's awa to Kertonha,
As fast as she can gang.
'What gars ye pu the rose, Jennet?
What gars ye break the tree?
What gars you gang to Kertonha
Without the leave of me?'
'Yes, I will pu the rose, Thomas,
And I will break the tree;
For Kertonha shoud be my ain,
Nor ask I leave of thee.'
'Full pleasant is the fairy land,
And happy there to dwell;
I am a fairy, lyth and limb,
Fair maiden, view me well.
'O pleasant is the fairy land,
How happy there to dwell!
But ay at every seven years end
We're a' dung down to hell.
'The morn is good Halloween,
And our court a' will ride;
If ony maiden wins her man,
Then she may be his bride.
'But first ye'll let the black gae by,
And then ye'll let the brown;
Then I'll ride on a milk-white steed,
You'll pu me to the ground.
'And first, I'll grow into your arms
An esk but and an edder;
Had me fast, let me not gang,
I'll be your bairn's father.
'Next, I'll grow into your arms
A toad but and an eel;
Had me fast, let me not gang,
If you do love me leel.
'Last, I'll grow into your arms
A dove but and a swan;
Then, maiden fair, you'll let me go,
I'll be a perfect man.'
Cite this poem
MLA
Traditional Ballads (Child collection). “Tam Lin (Child 39C).” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/child-ballads/133/.
Chicago
Traditional Ballads (Child collection). “Tam Lin (Child 39C).” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/child-ballads/133/.
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