The words are different from the original (Child) version but this is a very close approximation of the song as performed by Sandy Denny.
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''I forbid you maidens all that wear gold in your hair
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To travel to Carterhaugh, for young Tam Lin is there
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None that go by Carterhaugh but they leave him a pledge
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Either their mantles of green or else their maidenhead''
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Janet tied her kirtle green a bit above her knee
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And she's gone to Carterhaugh as fast as go can she
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She'd not pulled a double rose, a rose but only two
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When up then came young Tam Lin, says,''Lady, pull no more''
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''And why come you to Carterhaugh without command from me?''
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''I'll come and go'', young Janet said, ''and ask no leave of thee''
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Janet tied her kirtle green a bit above her knee
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And she's gone to her father as fast as go can she
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Well, up then spoke her father dear and he spoke meek and mild
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``Oh, and alas, Janet,'' he said, ''I think you go with child''
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``Well, if that be so,'' Janet said, ''myself shall bear the blame
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There's not a knight in all your hall shall get the baby's name
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For if my love were an earthly knight, as he is an elfin grey
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I'd not change my own true love for any knight you have''
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So Janet tied her kirtle green a bit above her knee
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And she's gone to Carterhaugh as fast as go can she
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``Oh, tell to me, Tam Lin,'' she said, ''why came you here to dwell?''
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``The Queen of Fairies caught me when from my horse I fell
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And at the end of seven years she pays a tithe to hell
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I so fair and full of flesh and fear it be myself
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But tonight is Halloween and the fairy folk ride
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Those that would let true love win at Mile's Cross they must bide
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So first let pass the horses black and then let pass the brown
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Quickly run to the white steed and pull the rider down
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For I'll ride on the white steed, the nearest to the town
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For I was an earthly knight, they give me that renown
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Oh, they will turn me in your arms to a newt or a snake
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But hold me tight and fear not, I am your baby's father
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And they will turn me in your arms into a lion bold
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But hold me tight and fear not and you will love your child
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And they will turn me in your arms into a naked knight
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But cloak me in your mantle and keep me out of sight''
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In the middle of the night she heard the bridle ring
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She heeded what he did say and young Tam Lin did win
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Then up spoke the Fairy Queen, an angry queen was she
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Woe betide her ill-far'd face, an ill death may she die
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''Oh, had I known, Tam Lin,'' she said, ''what this night I did see
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I'd have looked you in the eyes and turned you to a tree''
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Tam Lin
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| Sandy Denny |
