I never had any trouble listening to Tam Lin until someone on the radio (I think it was Phyl Lobl) explained that the bit about holding on to Tam Lin even when the fairy queen turns him into red hot iron and such is about what we have to do in our relationships with those we love even when they are acting their most unloveable. Now it's hard for me to listen to that part of the song without breaking up, and I wouldn't try singing it.