kehoe@reed.UUCP (Dave Kehoe) (05/09/85)
I just heard Fairport Convention's version of "Tam Lin" -- it's rather different from other versions I've heard. How many versions are there? What is the history of the song -- how old is it? Could someone send me the lyrics? Thanks.
oacb2@ut-ngp.UUCP (oacb2) (05/10/85)
Child gives 9 versions of the ballad, all Scottish. The earliest references cited to a ballad of that name (probably, but not certainly, the same ballad) are from the mid 16th century. With no clues in the ballad itself, it's impossible to date it very well. It could be much older. All the versions in Child are very much like the Fairport Convention version, though the more complete versions are somewhat longer, except for the last verse of the Fairport Convention version (which doesn't make much sense to me). It seems to be a parody of 'But had I kend, Tam Lin,' she says, 'What now this night I see, I wad hae taen out thy twa grey een, And put in twa een o tree.' (Child 39A) or 'I wad hae taen out his heart o flesh, Put in a heart o tree, That a' the maids o Middle Middle Mist Should neer hae taen Tam Lane frae me.' (Child 39H) None of the Child versions have the Queen of Fairies wishing she had changed Tam Linn to something else, but several have her wishing she had replaced his eyes or heart (with "tree" or stone). -- Mike Rubenstein, OACB, UT Medical Branch, Galveston TX 77550
kaye@columbia.UUCP (Howie Kaye) (05/13/85)
A major new album on Tam Lin was just recorded in England. It is on Plant Life Records--PLR 063, and features Frankie Armstrong and Blowxabella. It is supposed to be excellent. If you want to order it, you should get in touch with the following company: Projection Records Folk Mail Order 74 High Street Old Town Leigh-on-Sea Essex England. The price is five pounds and ninety-four pence. This breaks down to 4.99 for the record and 95 pence for postage. Most banks can draw up international money orders in this currency...