about the song
“Scarborough Fair” by Simon & Garfunkel is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that transports listeners to a bygone era with its enchanting melody and timeless lyrics. Featured on their classic album “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,” released in 1966, the song is a reinterpretation of a traditional English folk tune that dates back centuries.
The origins of “Scarborough Fair” can be traced to the medieval era, with its lyrics revolving around a folk festival held in the town of Scarborough, England. Paul Simon, one half of the iconic duo, adapted the traditional ballad and infused it with his own poetic imagery and introspective themes.
With its intricate harmonies and delicate acoustic instrumentation, “Scarborough Fair” captivated audiences upon its release, earning widespread acclaim and commercial success. While it didn’t achieve significant chart success as a single, it remains one of Simon & Garfunkel’s most beloved and enduring songs, cherished by fans for its ethereal beauty and evocative storytelling.
The song’s inclusion in the “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme” album solidified its place in the pantheon of folk-rock classics, alongside other iconic tracks such as “The Sound of Silence” and “Homeward Bound.” Its timeless appeal has led to numerous cover versions by artists across different genres, further cementing its status as a cultural touchstone.
For aficionados of Simon & Garfunkel, “Scarborough Fair” serves as a testament to the duo’s musical prowess and their ability to breathe new life into age-old folk traditions. Its enduring popularity continues to resonate with audiences of all ages, reaffirming its status as a timeless masterpiece in the realm of folk music.
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Lyrics
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
She 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 thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
She once was a true love of mine