Tam Lin
Scottish border ballad / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tam (or Tamas) Lin (also called Tamlane, Tamlin, Tambling, Tomlin, Tam Lien, Tam-a-Line, Tam Lyn, or Tam Lane) is a character in a legendary ballad originating from the Scottish Borders. It is also associated with a reel of the same name, also known as the Glasgow Reel. The story revolves around the rescue of Tam Lin by his true love from the Queen of the Fairies. The motif of winning a person by holding him through all forms of transformation is found throughout Europe in folktales.[2][3]
For the 1991 novel, see Tam Lin (novel). For the 1970 film, see Tam-Lin (film).
The story has been adapted into numerous stories, songs and films.
It is listed as the 39th Child Ballad and number 35 in the Roud Folk Song Index.