Hmm, I do go on sometimes.

[asael]

A book recommendation, combined with a bit on the Fae game. That's my warning for what will be in this entry... so, if you're not interested, go away.


I just finished reading Tam Lin, by Pamela Dean. It's a retelling of the ballad of Tam Lin, set in 1970's Minnesota. I found it pretty strange, at first, because despite being a fantasy book it doesn't really have many fantasy bits until more than halfway through the story. It's written in such a way, though, that reading about Janet (the main character, for those who haven't heard the ballad) attending college, making friends, etc.,is actually really interesting... to me, at least.

It's a very good book, and you should read it if you get the chance. Along with Holly Black's Tithe, I especially recommend this book to anyone who'll be playing in my Fae game. It has the Faerie Court portrayed somewhat like I will... in fact, here's a good quote from the book, to give you an example.

"... I should be dying for some human thing, even if it's folly or stupidity--not for her. Not for them. They're not evil; even that is comprehenisible; people can be evil. They're foreign. They're like Linear A. They look as if they ought to mean something, but you can't tell what it is."

Yes. That's pretty much what I'll be going for. (By the way, if you aren't a huge geek like me... Linear A is, if I remember right, an early form of heiroglyphs. They've discovered tablets with stuff written on it in Linear A, but I don't think anyone's been able to translate it.)

Anyway, the book has a lot of quotes from classical literature in it, and poets. That's not an area I know much about, so I pretty much only got the Milton stuff, and was very disappointed at the lack of Dante references. 'Cause man, Dante's my bitch... well, mine, and everyone else who was in Terrence's Dante class... yeah. But my point is, the book will make you feel a little stupid in that department. Ignore it! Read it anyway. 'Tis a good book.

And for those of you who don't read as much as I do (which, yeah, is pretty much everyone, but I try to make you guys read!), I GREATLY encourage you to download the original ballad version of Tam Lin. There's like three million different versions, naturally, since it's been around for hundreds of years, but the one I'd recommend is the Fairport Convention version. It's fairly recent and modernish, and easy to listen to. The words are mostly modernized, so they aren't hard to understand. It's shortened from some versions, but nothing important is left out, and it should be easy to find. I can always send it to you, if you can't find it.

And yes, the ballad WILL have relevance within the Fae game. Just so you know.

Um... I think I will post lyrics, because why not make this post longer? It'll be fun. Fairport Convention lyrics, as they're easy to understand, and that's what I'm listening to right now. The song pretty much explains itself... all I have to say is, Janet is damn cool, for the heroine of an ancient ballad.

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 maidenheads.

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 then 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."

So Janet tied her kirtle green
a bit above her knee
And she's gone to Carterhaugh
as fast as go can she.

"Oh tell to me Tam Lin" she said
"Why came you here to dwell?"
"The Queen of Fairies 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 fear'ed be myself

But tonight is Halloween
and the fairy folk ride,
Those that would their true love win
at mile's cross they must hide.

First let pass the horses black
and then let pass 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 Fairy Queen,
an angry Queen was she
"Woe betide her ill-farred face,
an ill death may she die

Had I known Tam Lin" she said
"What this night I did see
I'd have looked him in the eyes
and turned him to a tree."