Steeleye Span's greatest version of Thomas the Rhymer

The view up the Eildon Hills from near where Thomas probably met the Queen of Elfland

Steeleye Span's first and best 6:44 minute version of their interpretation of my favourite Border Ballad.

It comes from what is probably my favourite album of theirs - Now We Are Six from 1974 - favourite, not because of its being consistently good, but because of its unmatched ability - in several places - to capture a quality of uncanny and deeply-appealing magic that I seek from the very best of folk music.  

In Thomas the Rhymer, the rock section is balanced by a superb, quiet, close-miked section with acoustic guitar and flute and violin obliggato - repeated with quietly pulsing electric guitar and bass. 

This richly rewards intensive listening on stereo headphones - notable the section on the choice of three road (to Heaven, Hell, or Elfland). As a kid we didn't have headphones, so my friend Gareth and I would take turns to lie on the floor, with head sandwiched between the stereo speakers...  

Epic electric folk at its supreme best...

***

True Thomas sat on Huntly bank 

And he beheld a lady gay 

A lady that was brisk and bold 

Come riding o’er the ferny brae 

Her skirt was of the grass green silk, 

Her mantle of the velvet fine 

At every lock of her horse’s mane 

Hung fifty silver bells and nine 

True Thomas, he pulled off his cap 

And bowed him low down to his knee 

“All hail, thou mighty Queen of Heaven 

Your like on earth I ne’er did see.” 

(Transition to quiet section)

“No, no, Thomas,” she said, 

“That name does not belong to me 

I am the queen of fair Elfland 

And I have come to visit thee.” 

“You must go with me, Thomas,” she said, 

“True Thomas, you must go with me 

And must serve me seven years 

Through well or woe, as chance may be.” 

Chorus X 4: (Again rock style)

Hark and carp, 

come along with me, 

Thomas the Rhymer 

She turned about her milk white steed 

And took Thomas up behind 

And aye whenever her bridle rang 

Her steed flew swifter than the wind 

For forty days and forty nights 

They rode through red blood to the knee 

And they saw neither sun nor moon 

But heard the roaring of the sea 

And they rode on and further on 

Further and swifter than the wind 

Until they came to a desert wide 

And living land was left behind 

(Quiet section again - muted electric guitar and bass - the best bit of all!)

“Don’t you see yon narrow, narrow road 

So thick beset with thorns and briars? 

That is the road to righteousness 

Though after it but few enquire.” 

 

“Don’t you see yon broad, broad road

That lies across the lily leaven? 

That is the road to wickedness 

Though some call it the road to heaven.” 

 

“Don’t you see yon bonny, bonny road 

That lies across the ferny brae? 

That is the road to fair Elfland 

Where you and I this night must go.”

Chorus (repeat to fade): 

Hark and carp, 

come along with me, 

Thomas the Rhymer