Tam Lin Anaïs Mitchell

^AmJanet sits in her lonely room S^Cewing a silken seam ^GAnd looking out on Carterhaugh ^FAmong the ^Emroses ^Agreen

^AmAnd Janet sits in her lonely bower ^CSewing a silken thread ^GAnd longed to be in Carterhaugh ^FAmong the ^Emroses r^Aed

^AmShe’s let the seam fall at her heel ^CThe needle to her toe ^GAnd she has gone to Carterhaugh ^FAs fast as ^Emshe can ^Ago

^AmShe hadn’t pulled a rose, a rose ^CA rose, but only one ^GWhen then appeared him, young Tamlin ^FSays, “Lady^Em, let^A alone”

^Am“What makes you pull the rose, the rose? ^CWhat makes you break the tree? ^GWhat makes you come to Carterhaugh ^FWithout the l^Emeave of ^Ame?”

^Am“But Carterhaugh is not your own ^CRoses there are many ^GI’ll come and go all as I please ^FAnd not ask l^Emeave of ^Aany”

^AmAnd he has took her by the hand ^CTook her by the sleeve ^GAnd he has laid this lady down ^FAmong the ^Emroses g^Areen

^AmAnd he has took her by the arm ^CTook her by the hem ^GAnd he has laid this lady down ^FAmong the ^Emroses ^Ared

^AmThere’s four and twenty ladies fair ^CSewing at the silk ^GAnd Janet goes among them all ^FHer face as ^Empale as ^Amilk

^AmAnd four and twenty gentlemen ^CPlaying at the chess ^GAnd Janet goes among them all ^FAs green as ^Emany g^Alass

^AmThen up and spoke her father ^CHe’s spoken meek and mild ^G“Oh, alas, my daughter ^FI fear you ^Emgo with c^Ahild”

^Am“And is it to a man of might ^COr to a man of means ^GOr who among my gentlemen ^FShall give the ^Embabe his ^Aname?”

^Am“Oh, father, if I go with child ^CThis much to you I’ll tell ^GThere’s none among your gentlemen ^FThat I would t^Emreat so ^Awell”

^Am“And, father, if I go with child ^CI must bear the blame ^GThere’s none among your gentlemen ^FShall give the b^Emabe his ^Aname”

^AmShe’s let the seam fall at her hell ^CThe needle to her toe ^GAnd she has gone to Carterhaugh ^FAs fast as she ^Emcould ^Ago

^AmAnd she is down among the weeds ^CDown among the thorn ^GWhen then appeared Tamlin again ^FSays, “Lady^Em, pull n^Ao more”

^Am“What makes you pull the poison rose? ^CWhat makes you break the tree? ^GWhat makes you harm the little babe ^FThat I have g^Emot with t^Ahee?”

^Am“Oh I will pull the rose, Tamlin ^CI will break the tree ^GBut I’ll not bear the little babe ^FThat you have ^Emgot with ^Ame”

^Am“If he were to a gentleman ^CAnd not a wild shade ^GI’d rock him all the winter’s night ^FAnd all the ^Emsummer’^As day”

An “Then take me back into your arms

^CIf you my love would win ^GAnd hold me tight and fear me not ^F*I’ll^Em be a^A gentleman”

^Am“But first I’ll change all in your arms ^CInto a wild wolf ^GBut hold me tight and fear me not ^FI am your own t^Emrue l^Aove”

^Am“And then I’ll change all in your arms ^CInto a wild bear ^GBut hold me tight and fear me not ^FI am your h^Emusband d^Aear”

^Am“And then I’ll change all in your arms ^CInto a lion bold ^GBut hold me tight and fear me not ^FAnd you will l^Emove your ^Achild”

^AmAt first he changed all in her arms ^CInto a wild wolf ^GShe held him tight and feared him not ^FHe was her own ^Emtrue l^Aove

^AmAnd then he changed all in her arms ^CInto a wild bear ^GShe held him tight and feared him not ^FHe was her h^Emusband d^Aear

^AmAnd then he changed all in her arms ^CInto a lion bold ^GShe held him tight and feared him not ^FThe father of ^Emher c^Ahild

^AmAnd then he changed all in her arms ^CInto a naked man ^GShe’s wrapped him in her coat so warm ^FAnd she has brought ^Emhim ^Ahome

Anais Mitchell - Tam lin