Tam Lin (Child Ballad 39) is a traditional Scottish ballad that deals with a romance between a mortal woman named Janet and her lover, Tam Lin who is held captive by the Faerie Queen. In the narrative, Janet must pull Tam Lin down from his horse as the Fairy Host rides by and hold on to him as he transforms into a flaming sword and numerous animals. Eventually, he turns back into a human and is freed from the Faerie Queen's clutches. This piece attempts to capture that moment as well as integrating many other symbols and details described in the ballad. The original was created at 16"x20" and printed as a banner print of 32"x40". 

 

The ballad in its entirety can be read here: http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch039.htm