I forbid you maidens all

that wear gold in your hair

To travel down to Carterhaugh

for young Tam Lin is there

Them that go by Carterhaugh

will they leave him a pledge

Either their mantles of green

or else their maidenheads.

Janet tied her kirtle green

a bit above her knee

And she's gone straight to Carterhaugh

as fast as go can she.

She did pull up a double rose,

a rose but only two

When then up came young Tam Lin

says "Lady pull no more"

"And why do you come to Carterhaugh

without command from me?"

"I'll come and go" young Janet said

"And ask no leave of thee".

Then spoke her father clear

and he spoke meek and mild

"Well alas Janet" he said

"I think you go with child."

"Well if that be so" Janet said

"Myself shall bear the blame

There's not a knight in all your hall

shall get the baby's name.

"Oh tell to me Tam Lin" she said

"Why came you here to dwell?"

"The Queen of Fairies caught me

when from my horse I fell

But tonight it is Halloween

and the fairy court it rides,

Those that would true love win

at mile's cross they must hide.

First let pass the horses black

and then let pass the brown

Quickly run to the white steed

and pull the rider down,

For I'll ride on the white steed,

the nearest to the town

For I was an earthly knight,

they give me that renown.

They will turn me in your arms

to a newt or to a snake

Hold me tight and fear not,

I the father of your babe.

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 in the middle of the night

she heard the bridle ring

She heeded what said

and young Tam Lin did win.

Then up spoke the Fairy Queen,

and an angry Queen was she

"Woe betide her ill-fared face,

an ill death may she die.