alchemy, magic, grandmother wisdom, stories from the wood, for fun, recess

[Guest guest]

Much modern herbal knowledge is accumulated from old agrarian lore and then

tested 'clinically', and we have what we have now. Magic, spirits, alleviation

of symptoms, alchemy, scientific approach, all overlap and birth eachother. But

healing power is power, is a kind of love.

Just for fun, this.

 

I've always loved stories about the old days, ballads from the agricultural

societies, true love, faery tales. All the world has them in thier history.

Here's one of my favorites, followed by an ancient (15th century) version. Then

a bit about the symbology of the words, because thier meaning is really far

(centuries) from us.

The guy who wrote 'Lord of the rings' borrowed heavily from this, especially the

love affair between Arwen (the Elf) and Aragorn (the human). If you have time,

it opens into a pretty majestic view of love and honor, and the meeting of human

and spirit world, way back when. The symbology isn't obvious, so I included

someone's well said analysis. Thanks, Fran

---- ---- ---- ---- ----

Tam Lin (modern version)

 

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 there 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 (Carterhall) 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 buy.

 

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 have looked him in the eyes and turned him to a tree "

 

Symbology in the ballad;

http://tam-lin.org/interp.html

 

Another version;

http://tam-lin.org/front.html

 

A modern version of the ballad set to the scenes in 'Lord of the Rings'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5JMuURuLMc