About the song
“Scarborough Fair” is a timeless traditional English ballad that weaves a tale of love and impossible tasks against the backdrop of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. This haunting melody has roots tracing back centuries, capturing the imagination with its poetic lyrics and evocative refrain of “parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.”
The ballad is believed to have evolved from earlier Scottish and English folk traditions, possibly inspired by the ancient ballad “The Elfin Knight,” where a series of daunting challenges are set forth. In “Scarborough Fair,” the singer presents a list of tasks to a former lover, setting conditions for their reconciliation that are as improbable as they are symbolic.
The song gained prominence in the late 19th century when versions featuring the Scarborough Fair reference and the distinctive herbal refrain began circulating. Frank Kidson’s collection in 1891 documented its prevalence in Yorkshire and Northumbria, sung to various melodies often in Dorian mode, enhancing its mystical allure.
In the 20th century, “Scarborough Fair” found renewed popularity through the rendition by Mark Anderson, recorded by Ewan MacColl in 1947. However, it was the iconic interpretation by Simon & Garfunkel in the 1960s that propelled the ballad to global acclaim. Inspired by Martin Carthy’s arrangement, Simon & Garfunkel’s version captivated audiences with its ethereal harmonies and poignant delivery, becoming synonymous with the folk rock genre.
The enduring appeal of “Scarborough Fair” lies not only in its melodic beauty but also in its timeless themes of love, challenge, and perseverance. Its lyrics, steeped in tradition and folklore, continue to resonate across generations, inspiring countless interpretations and adaptations by musicians worldwide.
From its humble origins in the folk traditions of Yorkshire to its elevation as a cultural touchstone, “Scarborough Fair” remains a testament to the enduring power of folk music, capturing the essence of longing and nostalgia with every rendition.
Video
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