Had I known but yesterday what I know today
I'd have taken out your two gray eyes and put in eyes of clay
Had I known but yesterday you'd be no more my own
I'd have taken out your heart of flesh and put in one of stone

I forbid you maidens all that wear gold in your hair
To travel to Carter Town where young Tam Lin is there
Janet tied her kirtle green a bit above her knee
And she's gone down to Carter Town as fast as go can she
She'd not pulled a double rose, a rose but only two
When up there came young Tam Lin, says "Lady, what of you?"

Had I known but yesterday what I know today
I'd have taken out your two gray eyes and put in eyes of clay
Had I known but yesterday you'd be no more my own
I'd have taken out your heart of flesh and put in one of stone

"Oh, tell me, Tam Lin," she said, "why come you here to dwell?"
"The Queen of the 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 feared it be myself
But tonight is Halloween and the fairy folk must ride.
Those that would their true love win at Miles Cross they must bide."

Had I known but yesterday what I know today
I'd have taken out your two gray eyes and put in eyes of clay
Had I known but yesterday you'd be no more my own
I'd have taken out your heart of flesh and put in one of stone

"First let past the horses black and then let past 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 gave me that renown
Oh, they will turn me in your arms to a newt or a snake
But hold me tight and fear me not, for your baby's sake
And they will turn me in your arms into a lion bold
But hold me tight and fear me not so your child can grow old
And they will turn me in your arms into a naked knight
But cloak me in your mantle and keep me out of sight."

Had I known but yesterday what I know today
I'd have taken out your two gray eyes and put in eyes of clay
Had I known but yesterday you'd be no more my own
I'd have taken out your heart of flesh and put in one of stone

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-fared face, an ill death may she see
"Oh, 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."

Had I known but yesterday what I know today
I'd have taken out your two gray eyes and put in eyes of clay
Had I known but yesterday you'd be no more my own
I'd have taken out your heart of flesh and put in one of stone