My first is Tam Lin by Fairport Convention. It’s folk rock, and along with country and western, polkas, and a few others, it’s generally a genre of music I can do without, with a few exceptions. In country, I’ll listen to Shania Twain because her voice is so crystal clear that listening to it is like licking honey off a spoon. In folk rock, this is one of the few exceptions, in part because of Sandy Denny’s voice and the tale told in this ballad of a boy (an elf in some versions of the legends) who has been enchanted (subjected to a chant or spell) that keeps him in the thrall of the enchantress, a faerie queen. Janet, a human daughter of a nobleman, wanders into Carterhaugh, the territory of Tam Lin, in defiance of her father. There she plucks a rose and returns home pregnant. The rest of the tale involves her committing to Tam Lin, showing her love by rescuing him from the spell.
What I love about this version (there are many others done as song or poetry) is the gorgeous archaic uses of language like “and ask no leave of thee” (I won’t ask for your permission), “as fast as go can she” (a Yoda-like construction with an obvious meaning), and many others. I’ll insert the lyrics after the audio-only video.
TAM LIN (lyrics)
I forbid you maidens all that wear gold in your hair
To travel to Carterhaugh for young Tam Lin is there
None that go by Carterhaugh but they leave him a pledge
Either their mantles of green or else their maidenhead
Janet tied her kirtle green a bit above her knee
And she’s gone to Carterhaugh as fast as go can she
She’d not pulled a double rose, a rose but only two
When up then came young Tam Lin, says “Lady, pull no more”
“And why come you to Carterhaugh without command from me?”
“I’ll come and go”, young Janet said, “and ask no leave of thee”
Janet tied her kirtle green a bit above her knee
And she’s gone to her father as fast as go can she
Well, up then spoke her father dear and he spoke meek and mild
“Oh, and 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”
For if my love were an earthly knight as he is an elfin grey
I’d not change my own true love for any knight you have”
Janet tied her kirtle green a bit above her knee
And she’s gone to Carterhaugh as fast as go can she
“Oh, tell to me, Tam Lin,” she said, “why came you here to dwell?”
“The Queen of Faeries caught me when from my horse I fell
And at the end of seven years she pays a tithe to Hell
I so fair and full of flesh and feared it be myself
But tonight is Hallowe’en and the faerie folk ride
Those that would their true love win at Miles Cross they must bide
First let past the horses black and then let past 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
Oh, they will turn me in your arms to a newt or a snake
But hold me tight and fear not, I am your baby’s father
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 they will turn me in your arms into a naked knight
But cloak me in your mantle and keep me out of sight”
In the middle of the night she heard the bridle ring
She heeded what he did say and young Tam Lin did win
Then up spoke the Faerie Queen, an angry queen was she
“Woe betide her ill-fought face, an ill death may she die”
“Oh, had I known, Tam Lin,” she said, “what this night I did see
I’d have looked him in the eyes and turned him to a tree”
I have been a fan of Rory Gallagher for most of my life. I heard of him and Pink Floyd in the same week when I was 9 (and a half)! Never grow tired of either. This song reminds me of times spent with old friends, some now deceased. I also think it is just a class song.
Packed my things in an overnight bag
A toothbrush and guitar, got no tail to drag
Gonna leave, on the next passing breeze
My heart is heavy, as a sky full of rain
Mind full of notions, that I just can’t explain
The reasons why, just can’t be supplied
Trapped by a heartache, and freed by my will
Sentenced to wander, so much time to kill
Hear my plea, and rescue me
Packed my sorrows in an overnight bag
But I’ll be gone much longer than that
Who knows when, we’ll meet again?
Too many sleepless nights, put my soul on edge
And so many restless moods, lay heavy in my head
Too many sleepless nights, put my soul on edge
And so many restless moods, lay heavy in my head
Wrote down my thoughts, and I sealed them in hope
Sent them to you in a blue envelope
Not received, it seems to me
I had some things that I wanted to say
But my chance, well it just blew away
On the breeze, like some mystery….
I do love Joe B and have seen him more than a few times. When these two came around one night with their subliminal female communication and unparalleled chops, the stage was left in burning embers.
I mentioned that despite not having much love for country and western, I do like Shania Twain for the crystal clarity of her voice. She created what has become, I suspect, the #1 song heard in post-wedding celebrations, because it’s about complete and total commitment. I think you’ll also find that she’s pretty easy on the eyes as well.
Oh yeah, I love Clutch and My Bloody Valentine. @robert Shania Twain is hot as hell in that video. She’s Canadian, like my all time favorite singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell. @simon…I don’t know about Lil Debbie…She reminds me of Iggy Azalea, who I’m not impressed with. When it comes to female rap, Nicki Minaj is my go to. (Dat ass tho) 😊
I love most genres of music, from bluegrass to rap. (Not a new country music fan)
Jody Lee 4 years ago.
Simon Paynton.
