Kent: thank you very much for this. It's an interesting version: no direct mention of the Devil, as you say, but an implicit threat in verse 1. Interesting chorus, and a riddle ("sin is earlier than the morn") that I hadn't come across in studying different versions of this ballad.

Penny S.: you're right, the hero of 'Tam Lin' is not the elven abductee, but Lady Margaret. But then, the ballads are full of strong female characters: they outwit the Devil ('Devil's Questions'), turn the tables on serial killers ('Outlandish Knight'), and refuse to marry the man chosen for them ('Eppie Morrie' and many others). Try 'False Fooodrage' for another great heroine. There are some pretty meaty female villains in there too!

Punkfolkrocker: Talisker, eh? Great stuff - no wonder you want your ballads strong and dark. I recommend Jody Stecher's version of 'Wind and Rain'.