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 roadThat 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