Introduction:
“Scarborough Fair” is a hauntingly beautiful folk rock song performed by the iconic duo Simon & Garfunkel. Released in 1967 on their groundbreaking album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, the song quickly garnered critical acclaim and widespread popularity. It remains one of their most recognizable songs, even achieving gold record status by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
While the exact origins of “Scarborough Fair” are unknown, it is believed to be a traditional English ballad, likely dating back to the 16th or 17th century. Several variations of the ballad exist, but the version most familiar to modern audiences is the one popularized by Simon & Garfunkel. The song features a haunting melody with a call-and-response format between Paul Simon’s vocals and Art Garfunkel’s harmonies. The lyrics tell a melancholic story of a young man pleading with his former lover to return to him. He asks her to complete a series of impossible tasks, such as gathering herbs “under the rosebud that grows in no man’s land” or “sewing a shirt without needles or thread.” These tasks represent the immense challenges that stand in the way of their reuniting.
The ambiguity of the lyrics and the song’s overall mood have led to much speculation about its meaning. Some interpretations suggest that the woman has died or gone mad, making their reunion truly impossible. Others believe the tasks are metaphors for the emotional and personal growth the woman needs to undergo before they can be together again. Regardless of the interpretation, “Scarborough Fair” remains a powerful and evocative song that continues to resonate with listeners today.
“Scarborough Fair” was a major commercial success for Simon & Garfunkel. It reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and became a staple on folk radio stations. The song’s popularity helped propel Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme to become a million-selling album.
The song’s influence extends beyond the music charts. “Scarborough Fair” has been featured in numerous films and television shows, and its distinctive melody has been covered by a wide range of artists across various genres.
In conclusion, “Scarborough Fair” is a timeless classic from Simon & Garfunkel. Its haunting melody, evocative lyrics, and enduring popularity have cemented its place as a cornerstone of folk rock music.
Video:
Lyrics:
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeRemember me to one who lives thereShe once was a true love of mine
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt(On the side of a hill, in the deep forest green)Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme(Tracing of sparrow on snow-crested ground)Without no seams nor needle work(Blankets and bedclothes the child of the mountain)Then she’ll be a true love of mine(Sleeps unaware of the clarion call)
Tell her to find me an acre of land(On the side of a hill, a sprinkling of leaves)Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme(Washes the grave with silvery tears)Between the salt water and the sea strands(A soldier cleans and polishes a gun)Then she’ll be a true love of mine
Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather(War bellows blazing in scarlet battalions)Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme(Generals order their soldiers to kill)And gather it all in a bunch of heather(And to fight for a cause they’ve long ago forgotten)Then she’ll be a true love of mine
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thymeRemember me to one who lives thereShe once was a true love of mine