Story Behind The Song

Trad folk tale

Song Description

Woman falls in love with a man who has been in the fairy realm

Lyrics

Tomlin

Oh all ya ladies young and gay
Who are so sweet and fair
Do not go into Chaster's wood
for Tomlin will be there

Fair Margaret sat in her bonnie bower
sewing her silk and seam,
and wished to be in Chaster's wood
among the leaves so green

She let the seam fall to her foot
the needle to her toe
and she has gone to Chaster's wood
as fast as she could go.

When she began to pull the flowers
she pulled both red and green
they by did come and by did go
said 'Fair maid let a bene'

Oh! Why pluck you the flowers lady?
Or why climb you the tree
or why come ye to Chaster's wood
with out the leave of me

Oh! I will pull the flowers she said
or I will break the tree
for Chaster's wood it is my own
I'll ask no leave at thee.

Then he took her by the milk white hand
and by the grass green sleeve
and laid her down upon the flowers
at her he asked no leave.

The lady blushed and sourly frowned
and she did think great shame
says "if you are a gentleman
you'll at least tell me your name?"

At first they called me Jack he said
then they called me John
but since I lived in the fairy court
Tomlin has always been my name

I was the laird of Foulis son
the heir of all his land
but the Queen of fairies rode on by
and took me for her own.

Listen well the morrow is Halloween
our fairy court will ride
through England and Scotland both
through all the world wide.

Through England and Scotland both
through all the world wide
and if that ye would me borrow
at Miles Moss ye must bide.

The only court that will come along
that's clad in robes of green
for it's the head court of them all
and in it rides the Queen.

And I upon a milk white steed
wjth a gold star in my crown
because I am an earthy man
I'm next the Queen in renown

You must seize upon me with a spring
then to the ground I'll fall
and then you'll hear a rueful cry
that Tomlin is away.

But hold me fast let me not go
then you'll have your hearts desire
so hold me fast, let me not go
for I'm father of you child.

And it's next night into Miles Moss
fair Margaret has gone
and presently a fairy band
came riding o'er the mound


Traditional

Recorded at Avocet Studios Mass.
Music arrangement: Joe Podlesny
Lead Vocal: Delta Burnett Reed
Guitars: Joe Podlesny
Whistle: Tom Byrns
Bass: Joe Podlesny
Keyboard: Joe Podlesny

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