For this week’s #SongLyricsSunday, it is all about herbs: Cinnamon/Mint/Parsley/Pepper/Rosemary/Sage/Salt/Thyme. The perfect song for this prompt is Simon & Garfunkel‘s rendition of the traditional ballad “Scarborough Fair”. Beside a fitting song for the prompt, I think a lot of people need the Simon & Garfunkel’s soothing, calming, and melodic songs in their lives right now.
(This is part of a #SongLyricsSunday challenge, which is hosted by Jim at An Unique Title For Me. Anyone can join! Details on how to participate are found at the end of this post!)
Remember Me to One Who Lives There
“Scarborough Fair” is a traditional English ballad that lists impossible tasks to the narrator’s former lover. According to Wikipedia. “the refrain “parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme” date to 19th-century versions and the refrain may have been borrowed from the ballad Riddles Wisely Expounded, (Child Ballad #1), which has a similar plot.”[1]
Paul Simon learned about the English ballad from Martin Cathy, who featured the song on his self-titled debut album, while in London. Simon set the tune to counterpoint with “Canticle”, which was a rework of the anti-war song “The Side of a Hill”. “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” was released on the 1966 album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme as well as a single. It was also featured on the soundtrack for the movie The Graduate.
For a while, there was a rift between Simon & Garfunkel and Martin Cathy over the song. Cathy believed that the duo should credit the original source. This was after he learned that Simon & Garfunkel were solely credited for “Scarborough Fair/Canticle”. This rift lasted for over 30 years until Cathy was invited by Simon to play the song together at Simon’s 2000 concert.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme
Simon & Garfunkel’s rendition of the traditional ballad has been my favorite for a long time. It is such a beautiful song. I remember singing it a lot when I was a little kid because I found it so beautiful!
Lyrics to “Scarborough Fair”
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
If you want to participate, here are the rules:
- Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not.
- Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
- Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
- Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
- Ping back to this post will eventually work, as long as you are being patient, but you can also place your link in the comments if you don’t like to wait.
- Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
- Feel free to suggest future prompts.
- Have fun and enjoy the music.
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It really is a beautiful song Amy.
This song is very different to the music I usually listen to, but really liked it actually! So calming to listen to.
Thank you for sharing this so with us. It’s really haunting to me for some reason.
I’ve never heard the song before, and I’m glad you explained what it’s about. I’m not sure I would have gotten the idea behind it otherwise. My in-laws listen to S&G though, so they probably know the song.
I do love Simon & Garfunkel, their music is indeed very soothing and calming. And this song makes no exception.
I remember Simon And Garfunkel from my younger days. Their music was popular globally and was music you listened yo and enjoyed not dance music. Good job on the post.
I love this song. Thanks for sharing the meaning behind the lyrics
Such an oldy! But a goody!
Oh I love Simon and Garfunkle!!
I am about and hour from Scarborough (Ontario) but I don’t think I will be checking out any fairs any time soon. Great song, though.
The fair has a great line-up. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend.
Did you read the article?
Believe me or not but, Scarborough Fair is my Dad’s lullaby for us when we were kids! Ohh I love this song, very relaxing even now 🙂
This is a great song, I don’t think I would be able to join but I like how you discover old songs and lyrics which has nice lyrics.
Glad I discovered this artist because of your blog! I checked out their songs and I definitely love it.
Such an old song but really uplifting!
Yes… I Iove this song! Are you going to Scarborough Fair? I remember music class at school, when I first learnt singing it.
Simon and Garfunkel’s songs are a part of my life. I always hear their song because my dad is a fan.
I’m familiar with Simon and Garfunkel but when I had a listen to the song I realized it’s the first time I’m hearing of it. I like it though; it’s true to their soothing and calming style.
As soon as I read the title I was instantly singing this in my head. I didn’t know all of the backstory around it and found it really interesting.
I’ve heard this song multiple times but never knew the name or artist
This is such a classic song and is so beautifully done. Simon and Garfunkel have definitely passed the test of time.
I really love this song. Its been a favorite of mine for years.
Honestly not a huge fan but they are good
Great lyrics. Everytime I read or listen to something new, it shows how broad and wide the world is. If not for this blog post, I would not have heard about the song.
Thank you for sharing.
i have never heard this song before..this song is really amazing.. it is so deep just loved it..thanks for sharing…
This is a classic I remember the song but I didn’t knew who was the artist thank you for sharing
I haven’t heard the song before but glad I read this post. The lyrics are so beautiful! Going to listen to the song now 🙂
I havent heard it until now, as usual. I loved the meaning that ou have shared here/
The lyrics is such a wonderful time to remember. Very inspiring.
Such an awesome song, it lingers to my mind like an last song syndrome.
I do wish I can be at there personally, thanks for sharing this great song, really enjoyed it
cheers, siennylovesdrawing
I never heard of them but this article want me to listen to them.
I absolutely love this song. It brings back a lot of memories. Thanks for sharing this 🙂
This is one of my favorite albums! I just love Simon and Garfunkle, I need to listen to this again soon!!!
I like this song! I’ve always been a fan of Simon and Garfunkle. I have several of their songs on my phone.
This is so fun. I love all kinds of music. Good Lyrica are my favorite
The music was really catchy. It was not my genre but I liked it.
I am not into ballad genre, but, surely it took my attention 🙂
I don’t know this song, although I know and appreciate them. Thanks for this magical sound!
Haven’t heard of this song before, but it sounds amazing! The lyrics are meaningful as well, thank you for sharing 🙂
This song is awesome and I love the concept of this post. Definitely something I would participate in one day.
My friend is a massive fan of Simon and Garfunkle…not my thing but with music each top their own
When i saw the title of your post, I got excited that there was an actual fair that was opening for this year. I really, really miss going to fairs and concerts.
You can’t beat some classics and I believe this one of them. Some lyrics and music leave a mark and you can listen to it again again
I have heard of this band but never really tried listening to them. I will try now though. Thank you for sharing
wonderful song! I love how folk it is, looks as if it sang by a modern bard
Haven’t heard of this song before, but it sounds so good! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Deng! Simon and Garfunkel reminds me of childhood. My father likes listening to them. And you have no idea how many times I’ve listened to Scarborough Fair!
Wow Amy, fantastic lyrics! Thanks for sharing and showing us what the lockdown has made us miss in terms of musical and theatres!
I don’t know this song, although I know and appreciate them. Thanks for this magical sound!
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