Burd Ellen and Young Tamlane

Burd Ellen and Young Tamlane (Roud 3962, Child 28) is a traditional English-language folk song.Francis James Child, The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, "Burd Ellen and Young Tamlane" Despite similarity in names, it appears to have no connection with Tam Lin, nor with the tale of Childe Rowland, though they both have characters named Burd Ellen; indeed, Francis James Child was unable to connect this ballad with any other tradition or ballad.Francis James Child, The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, v 1, p 256, Dover Publications, New York 1965

Synopsis Burd Ellen is weeping. Young Tamlane tells her to rock her son. She tells him to rock the child himself, she has done more than her share. Instead, he goes to sea, with her curse.

Lyrics

See also List of the Child Ballads

References

External links Burd Ellen and Young Tamlane with commentary