Elves and fairies explained: The romantic medieval ballad of Tam Lin | Celtic folklore of faery

[@ailenalma]

So, do you like Janet as a protagonist? Any other tales with “strong female protagonists”? 💪🏻

[@melidepapel]

Mi leyenda favorita de mi país(Costa Rica)es sobre la bruja Zarate quien toma poder sobre su propia vida y no se deja engañar por un falso amor. Es mi personaje femenino favorito. 🦚💔

[@ailenalma]

@@melidepapel No la conocía! Parece súper interesante, ya voy a investigar... Gracias por contarme!

[@flowers_and_ann]

I like Janet :) she finds her own way and is successful with it

[@ailenalma]

@@flowers_and_ann Yeah! She's a total badass in my opinion :)

[@bethanybartholomew2443]

East of the sun West of the moon

[@Tipi_Dan]

This is truly a rich and lovely rendering of this story that I have enjoyed since first hearing it sung by Sandy Denny and Fairport Convention in 1971. Our host's expanded and dramatic rendering, full of emotive characterizations, is wonderfully entertaining.

[@JakobDrummond]

These are ridiculously fun to watch! Great work!

[@ellyharris4345]

I had spent many searches trying to find the story behind one of my faverite Fairport Convention songs. thankyou for showing up on my feed Alma, you lovely.

[@susanjeffay3851]

AH yes! Sandy Denny- I always listen to it on Halloween

[@poiwytlee]

Been doing research into the faefolk for a series of storytelling poems I'm writing about the fae. Your channel has been invaluable! Thank you!

[@dougburg3210]

this was very nice and true to the musical version. i liked it a lot.

[@Owlsrayne]

I became acquainted with Tam Lin by the song created by Fairport Convention and is a favorite of mine.

[@rbeckhoff89]

I have always enjoyed listening to Sandy Danny/ Fairport Convention track of Tam Lin..I. But I really like your video Of the fable. .I Have subscribed I will enjoy your other videos too 💌

[@heatherstrangeways3396]

Enchanting! ❤

[@christopherlawley1842]

Tam Lin was one of the first folk songs I ever learned (From Frankie Armstrong's singing). One of my favourite ballads. I love your story version.

[@ailenalma]

Found the other comment 😄 I'm so honoured that you liked my little narration, especially given that it's a song close to your heart! Do you know/like True Thomas? That's another favourite of mine.

[@christopherlawley1842]

I do, though I've not learned to sing it. (neither have I looked to see if you've done it [Fx: slaps wrist]

[@ailenalma]

@@christopherlawley1842 I sing it but I'm not especially good at it so no footage 🤣

[@bethanybartholomew2443]

Wonderfully told. Thank you

[@ForestBeans]

I absolutely love the voice changes you do for the characters. This was such a dynamic, energetic, engaging retelling. Fantastic work.

[@mattyladd]

Phenomenal video!!!

[@mikelheron20]

Absolutely brilliantly told. I have loved this story ever since I came across it many years ago and have heard many song versions. But this is the first time I've heard the full story. You more than did it justice.

[@ailenalma]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support

[@danielsmith8171]

You are a marvelous storyteller! The story became alive in my mind's eye... where were you when I was young enough to woo such a miraculous woman? Oh, well , maybe next time... lol

[@edwardbirdsall6580]

Thank you for the tale.

[@jimlast8122]

Excellent story well done well done well done! Thank you so much for the store and the background!!!

[@HYAC1NTHUS]

Ur so beautiful and I love how you narrate the story😭🙏

[@witusmilanowskimcloughlin687]

Really missed your videos! It would be very interesting if you could explore the tale of Beren and Luthien. Janet kind of reminds me of Luthien's badass character ❤

[@ailenalma]

She does have a vibe, doesn't she? And that's a great idea, I'll put it up to popular vote 😀

[@nickievison1134]

Just discovered your channel and I absolutely adore your videos ❤

[@DevilWillCry222]

I find you captivating. Thank you for another great story. Keep rockin.

[@ailenalma]

that's so kind of you! I'm happy to be making videos again- and I'm very excited about the next one!

[@DevilWillCry222]

@@ailenalma can't wait

[@HeavenlyDivineTaro]

Oh i have not geard this version!! Lovely!!

[@franciscopomes938]

I m happy seeing you again in this lovely channel!

[@ailenalma]

Thank you! Updates will be more regular now!

[@StillGamingTM]

A new one!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Loved this tale, didn’t know this one yet. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@ailenalma]

Yay! It took a while but I'm glad it was worth it! So great that you enjoyed it- who's your favourite character in the story?

[@StillGamingTM]

@@ailenalma I mean, Janet is a badass which is nice but Tam-Lin is also pretty cool in the sense that he dares trust Janet like that. And extremely charming, apparently. And charming is always good Funny name by the way, “Janet”. I mean, it sounds pretty uhhh MODERN? For a classic folklore tale

[@ailenalma]

@@StillGamingTM He's a charming dude, no doubt! And it does, doesn't it? Fun fact, in some versions of the tale she's called Margaret. Which one do you prefer?

[@flowers_and_ann]

Oh, I like you so much 😂 you're funny, I love your accent and it's just the perfect escape from a rainy day to listen to your tales ❤️

[@ailenalma]

Haha thanks! I really appreciate that, I'm glad I could keep you company- rainy days are always hard for me...

[@flowers_and_ann]

Oh, why is that?

[@ailenalma]

@@flowers_and_ann I have no idea! Weather just wildly affects my mood 😅

[@hollylockhart9423]

I came looking for this story because of A Court of Thorns and Roses. The author Sara J Maas said the legend of Tam Lin is one that inspired the writing. It is really neat to hear the original legend and see how elements were included in the book. Thank you for your telling.

[@ailenalma]

Oh that's great! I've heard of the books but haven't read them yet- should I?

[@hollylockhart9423]

@@ailenalma I like them, adult romance, adventure. I appreciate how the author draws on so many folktales (and a lot of bible but not in a religious way in a bible story way...) I probably don't recognize all the elements drawn from folk and fairy tales

[@aceaszwall8333]

@@ailenalma I personally would not read them. In my opinion at least it gets very creepy.

[@GeoScorpion]

Hmm. I came across this video when looking for Anaïs Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer's version of "Tam Lin (Child 39)" haha. You do a good job talking us through it, though.

[@ichi_san]

this is great thank you

[@KitoTodd]

it's good to see you again 😊

[@ailenalma]

Happy to see you here too 😊

[@GraemeMarkNI]

Very beautiful story. I’m definitely going to say “embrace” instead if “bone” from now on 😁

[@kurdtluv9418]

I love your videos and your content and I can't wait for you to put out more

[@ailenalma]

So kind of you! I'll do it soon- life's just been a bit relentless 😅

[@inconspicuous-new--account]

Faeries don't let go easily. You have to hang on tight, whatever happens. Everyone should be so dedicated. Weakness doesn't get much respect from faeries.

[@MeredithHagan]

I know a lot of you came here because of Sarah Maas, but I highly recommend you read Seanan McGuire’s October Daye series, which is also based on Tam Lin, and in my opinion much, much better.

[@merwalkure1853]

Es curioso cómo narras esta balada, porque normalmente, no te esperas a que la protagonista tenga "buena suerte". Janet se lo jugó todo, y pudo haber salido mal, pero su valor (y su amor por Tam Lin) le ayudó a manejar mejor una situación que quizás, habría terminado con otra madre soltera medieval. 🤔

[@ailenalma]

Cierto! Siempre me resultó interesante que tomó la iniciativa y le salió bien- normalmente los personajes femeninos no tienen esta suerte cuando "transgreden'

[@merwalkure1853]

¡SÍ! Lo mismo pensé. O Tam Lin le dio suerte a Janet para que todo saliera bien (tomando la suerte como un elemento mágico más), o Tam Lin no era ya tan querido por la reina de las hadas del sector. ¿Elf-haim?

[@MitchBast-xu7jg]

I enjoy folk tales, but I confess, I only subscribed because you are so very pretty. You have a lovely voice, sweet and kind, and it lends itself well to storytelling

[@josemiguelpolit2657]

I love your videos you are funny and beautiful, like an elf

[@ailenalma]

How kind of you 😊

[@AshleyLebedev]

Just upload when you feel moved to do so 🧡 Ash x

[@ailenalma]

Thank you dear 🖤 I actually almost always feel moved to- it's more about keeping a balance for my mental health I guess 😊

[@melidepapel]

Me encantó la historia!! Opino igual, me gusta que Janet sea la heroína. ⚘🗡 De hecho, Faun sacó una canción sobre esta historia recientemente. 💖💖perfect timing. O ya sabía?🤔

[@ailenalma]

Lo sabía pero filmé el video antes de saberlo! El destino? 😁✨

[@melidepapel]

@@ailenalma lol tus habilidades psíquicas van en aumento 👀🔮

[@ailenalma]

@@melidepapel 🧙🌠

[@Blackadder75]

'hm, the cute partime hobbit girl looks different today, did she change her hair?' oopsie this is another pretty fairy girl, the algorithm tricked me again!

[@OriginalMariAnnaWolf]

Fun fact 😊 Samhain is a sabbat of Halloween as its said Sawen if I remember right. That's y on that day, as the vail is thin to drag him back to the mortal realm..... Boo at me all u like! Ik someone will appreciate knowledge! 😢 I do love the women power! Show that women are strong! Tho.. I hate that she do with a man that she don't even know even a year n more. I think that gives bad influences on ppl still. They rush into relationships like these stories, yet meet with terrible fate, some way worse then anyone could imagine..

[@christopherlawley1842]

Just upload as you wish, m' lady

[@ailenalma]

Thanks for the consideration! Hope you enjoyed this new video?

[@christopherlawley1842]

Oh, I did. See other comment!

[@prowlandsasuke]

Bruh why is she mad that he got her pregnant when she had sex with him. Like girl whyd did you "embrace" him if you didn't know who he really was.

[@MichaelLevine-n6y]

Please choose a camera distance and leave it fixed. The jumping close and far is very irritating.

[@heatherstrangeways3396]

Party-pooping Pedantry! 😂

[@MichaelLevine-n6y]

@@heatherstrangeways3396 How so?

[@leahkrupnik844]

This story is beautiful, as always, but I'm not too fond of the trope. Instead of being out of her own journey of self discovery, all of Janet's courage revolves around saving a man. Although her courage and dedication to saving him is to be applauded, I don't like the message it spreads. One might get the idea that you must do anything to hold on to love, even if it is ugly and painful. And Tam Lin never really did for Janet what he expected her to do for him. But this is only my opinion, and I am sure you could look at it from a more positive, feminist light.

[@ailenalma]

Thanks for sharing your perspective! I definitely think your interpretation is valid- I was thinking about it when I was researching it!

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

@ailenalma >>> 👍👍