Simon & Garfunkel — Scarborough Fair
Album: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and ThymeAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 4102
Length: 3:04
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Are you goin' 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 a sparrow on snow-crested ground).
Without no seams nor needlework (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 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 in 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.
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 a sparrow on snow-crested ground).
Without no seams nor needlework (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 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 in 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.
Comments (333)add comment
Beautiful tune... And a good base for an awesome bbq chicken marinade (add olive oil and presto)
blkstd wrote:
That's the beauty of music! Your memories always colour your perception of songs - embrace it ;D
I gave it an 'outstanding' rating but I think it really was my memories that were outstanding. Hard to separate sometimes.
That's the beauty of music! Your memories always colour your perception of songs - embrace it ;D
I'm going to admit something: I never liked Simon and Garfunkel, I thought they were dreary. But this song... it really moved me. It opened my mind.
jim15 wrote:
According to Wikipedia, the recording engineer was Roy Halee.
Garfunkel studied math in university. He did the sound engineering on this album. This song has many layers of sound that would be difficult to do live. And the harmonies are more than two voices deep. It's astounding. One of my fave songs in the known universe. Thank you, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.
According to Wikipedia, the recording engineer was Roy Halee.
Doesn't get any better than this.
jim15 wrote:
Thank You for the info! GREAT TUNE!!
Garfunkel studied math in university. He did the sound engineering on this album. This song has many layers of sound that would be difficult to do live. And the harmonies are more than two voices deep. It's astounding. One of my fave songs in the known universe. Thank you, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.
Thank You for the info! GREAT TUNE!!
I gave it an 'outstanding' rating but I think it really was my memories that were outstanding. Hard to separate sometimes.
Funny how one can recognize some songs by the very first note - this is one of those for me.
kindermanltd wrote:
/sarcasm no doubt...easy misterfixit
Misterfixit wrote:
Go back to MTV. RP is not for you.
/sarcasm no doubt...easy misterfixit
I remember listening to this as a child and just being in awe of this song. If you love this, check out Mike Masse on YouTube. His version of this is pretty special!
Always forgot how beautiful this song is until I hear it again. :-)
Garfunkel studied math in university. He did the sound engineering on this album. This song has many layers of sound that would be difficult to do live. And the harmonies are more than two voices deep. It's astounding. One of my fave songs in the known universe. Thank you, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.
its those background lyrics that me this cooly trippy
Few things match the haunting beauty of this perfect song. It always takes me somewhere else. Music is the closest thing we have to magic. 10 all the way.
bruceandjenna wrote:
I see what you did there, bruceandjenna
A time of innocence.
I see what you did there, bruceandjenna
radioparadise9 wrote:
Perhaps you have heard of Joni Mitchell?
Perhaps you have heard of Joni Mitchell?
These guys Rock. Hard! 
A perfect song. It really should be a 10. Maybe later.
mach-hog wrote:
Damned cold in the winter, just like "Skeggy" (Skegness)
It wasn't until I had enjoyed this song for many years, and been to the real Scarborough in Yorkshire, that many years later I learned that Mr Simon is something of an Anglophile. This bit of trivia has just made me like this even more.
Damned cold in the winter, just like "Skeggy" (Skegness)
ELAAAAINE!!! ELAAAAAAAIINE!!!!
Love Simon and Garfunkel - never liked this song though
The correct name of this song is “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” and it’s the interweaving of the Canticle countermelody and contrast with the main melody that makes this such an amazing song. I recommend amending the title in your database.
Wow ! First time I read the lyrics
I didn’t think this song could get any better
It did
It wasn't until I had enjoyed this song for many years, and been to the real Scarborough in Yorkshire, that many years later I learned that Mr Simon is something of an Anglophile. This bit of trivia has just made me like this even more.
My first 10 rating. Beautiful beyond words.
-Linda
-Linda
VH1 wrote:
Yes I know that! I wrote "wrote some amazing lyrics over the years". This song just reminded me of a lot of them! Better now?
Clearly, you did not know that. Nice tap dancing though.
Yes I know that! I wrote "wrote some amazing lyrics over the years". This song just reminded me of a lot of them! Better now?
Clearly, you did not know that. Nice tap dancing though.
This one transports me back to a good place
oh brother, how daft - yeah, call me shallow
A time of innocence.
Totally perfect....
отстой
VH1 wrote:
I agree fully, even though, as some have noted already, this song isn't his.
By listening again to this song today, I am more and more convinced, that Paul SImon would have been the more deserving person for this years nobel price for Literature than this arrogant selfimportant axxhole Bob Dylan!
Paul wrote amazing lyrics over the years and beautiful songs.
Paul wrote amazing lyrics over the years and beautiful songs.
I agree fully, even though, as some have noted already, this song isn't his.
I was 11 years old when this album was released - just beginning the years of teenage angst, and it started a life-long love affair with the musical genius of Paul Simon. A great deal of his music has calmed my soul better than any other artist, but also made me contemplate life's lessons. Watching him recently on the Stephen Colbert show, reinforced my believe that he is one of the true musical giants of the past half century.
That sounded spooky good for some reason 
radioparadise9 wrote: VH1 wrote:
IMHO
Songwriters:
1 Bob Dylan
2 Leonard Cohen
.
.
The rest are basically one hit wonders
YMMV
By listening again to this song today, I am more and more convinced, that Paul SImon would have been the more deserving person for this years nobel price for Literature than this arrogant selfimportant axxhole Bob Dylan!
Paul wrote amazing lyrics over the years and beautiful songs.
Paul wrote amazing lyrics over the years and beautiful songs.
IMHO
Songwriters:
1 Bob Dylan
2 Leonard Cohen
.
.
The rest are basically one hit wonders
YMMV
cavemanleong wrote:
Amazing song writing! Play more Simon and Garfunkel please.
I AGREE Tomasni wrote:
100% agreed! Long Live RP!!
To me this is 8 - Most Excellent
100% agreed! Long Live RP!!
Amazing song writing! Play more Simon and Garfunkel please.
VH1 wrote:
Yes I know that! I wrote "wrote some amazing lyrics over the years". This song just reminded me of a lot of them! Better now?
Verily.
Yes I know that! I wrote "wrote some amazing lyrics over the years". This song just reminded me of a lot of them! Better now?
Verily.
You hear this song? Now go listen to "Bridge". Then go listen to "America". Then go listen to "Mrs Robinson".
Freaking unbelievable! Only the Beatles and Neil Young come close to that level of diverse song writing Nirvana.
Freaking unbelievable! Only the Beatles and Neil Young come close to that level of diverse song writing Nirvana.
Scarborough Fair" is a traditional English ballad about the Yorkshire town of Scarborough.
But a great version, I love this song!
But a great version, I love this song!
This surpasses all objective criticism; it is beyond sublime; It can still bring me to tears...
This is so good that any comment is just pointless.
Proclivities wrote:
Perhaps, but Paul Simon did not write this song.
Yes I know that! I wrote "wrote some amazing lyrics over the years". This song just reminded me of a lot of them! Better now?
Perhaps, but Paul Simon did not write this song.
Yes I know that! I wrote "wrote some amazing lyrics over the years". This song just reminded me of a lot of them! Better now?
VH1 wrote:
The song in its current form dates back to the 19th century, although the origins are much earlier.
Paul Simon learned it from Martin Carthy in 1965.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarborough_Fair_(ballad)
Pretty decent cover though.
By listening again to this song today, I am more and more convinced, that Paul SImon would have been the more deserving person for this years nobel price for Literature than this arrogant selfimportant axxhole Bob Dylan!
Paul wrote amazing lyrics over the years and beautiful songs.
Paul wrote amazing lyrics over the years and beautiful songs.
The song in its current form dates back to the 19th century, although the origins are much earlier.
Paul Simon learned it from Martin Carthy in 1965.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarborough_Fair_(ballad)
Pretty decent cover though.
VH1 wrote:
Perhaps, but Paul Simon did not write this song.
By listening again to this song today, I am more and more convinced, that Paul SImon would have been the more deserving person for this years nobel price for Literature than this arrogant selfimportant axxhole Bob Dylan!
Paul wrote amazing lyrics over the years and beautiful songs.
Paul wrote amazing lyrics over the years and beautiful songs.
Perhaps, but Paul Simon did not write this song.
I always thought "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme" would be a great name for a big-city law firm. 
Love the song; the harpsichord caught my ear, which led me to start listening to and appreciating Baroque music.
Love the song; the harpsichord caught my ear, which led me to start listening to and appreciating Baroque music.
By listening again to this song today, I am more and more convinced, that Paul SImon would have been the more deserving person for this years nobel price for Literature than this arrogant selfimportant axxhole Bob Dylan!
Paul wrote amazing lyrics over the years and beautiful songs.
Paul wrote amazing lyrics over the years and beautiful songs.
Doesn't get much better than this. Along with Sounds of Silence and The Boxer, perhaps one of the best folk-pop songs there is.
Beautiful.
Extraordinary song.
Beautiful!
Timeless! Reminds me of the time I met my wife in registration line at a university; that was 26 years ago.
Forgot just how truly beautiful this piece is - majestic.
Wow! This was genius...
Still one of my favorite songs of all time...
Chrisjea wrote:
If I may say so, nice way to embellish any moment of one's life. Cheers!
Nice way to start the morning. Thanks RP
If I may say so, nice way to embellish any moment of one's life. Cheers!
Nice way to start the morning. Thanks RP
This song is just so timeless and beautiful. The harmonies and descants are everything.
ench wrote:
I've met (unrelated) women named Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme... Parsley would be in for some teasing though.
Here's a Parsley for you.
Ambrosia Parsley that is...
I've met (unrelated) women named Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme... Parsley would be in for some teasing though.
Here's a Parsley for you.
Ambrosia Parsley that is... Never in danger of beeing overheard.
Still an amazing song, even after all these years.
Paul and Arty doing what they do best.
Stone cold classic.
Stone cold classic.
I prefer the Queensryche version - have a search on Youtube for it - starts similar to S & G then it really gets rocking - gives me goosebumps every time!
Why not just say some plain and simple truth with words from the heart? I love this song and it makes me feel good.
dragon1952 wrote:
Abso...f...lutely..... Worund take it with me on to a lonely island....as it is two in one...and so perrrrrfect
As much as I hate Paul Simon solo, this has got to be one of the top 10 songs ever.
Abso...f...lutely..... Worund take it with me on to a lonely island....as it is two in one...and so perrrrrfect
ench wrote:
I've met (unrelated) women named Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme... Parsley would be in for some teasing though.
What, Thyme is any better?
I've met (unrelated) women named Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme... Parsley would be in for some teasing though.
What, Thyme is any better?
They should put the konami code in the site to give songs like this a 11 rating. 
As much as I hate Paul Simon solo, this has got to be one of the top 10 songs ever.
Aud wrote:
Would you also pay for their psych counseling?
I've met (unrelated) women named Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme... Parsley would be in for some teasing though.
Would you also pay for their psych counseling?
I've met (unrelated) women named Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme... Parsley would be in for some teasing though.
Thanks for this song. It's just brilliant. If I ever have to go to a deserted island, I'll take .scarborough Fair because its two songs in one. Such a fine tune.
big stud romeotuma wrote:
everybody in my alien space crafts loves this song, and this poem from the era...
Volume just went wayyyy up...
wow... I have the original vinyl album... I did not know this—
Paul Simon learned it in 1965 in London from Martin Carthy, who had picked up the tune from the songbook by Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger. Then Art Garfunkel set it in counterpoint with "Canticle", a reworking of Simon's 1963 song "The Side of a Hill" with new, anti-war lyrics. It was the lead track of the 1966 album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, and was released as a single after being featured on the soundtrack to The Graduate in 1968. The copyright credited only Simon and Garfunkel as the authors, causing ill-feeling on the part of Carthy, who felt the "traditional" source should have been credited. This rift remained until Simon invited Carthy to duet the song with him at a London concert in 2000.
wow... I have the original vinyl album... I did not know this—
Paul Simon learned it in 1965 in London from Martin Carthy, who had picked up the tune from the songbook by Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger. Then Art Garfunkel set it in counterpoint with "Canticle", a reworking of Simon's 1963 song "The Side of a Hill" with new, anti-war lyrics. It was the lead track of the 1966 album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, and was released as a single after being featured on the soundtrack to The Graduate in 1968. The copyright credited only Simon and Garfunkel as the authors, causing ill-feeling on the part of Carthy, who felt the "traditional" source should have been credited. This rift remained until Simon invited Carthy to duet the song with him at a London concert in 2000.
everybody in my alien space crafts loves this song, and this poem from the era...
First Party At Ken Kesey's With Hell's Angels
by Allen Ginsberg, December 1965
Cool black night thru redwoods
cars parked outside in shade
behind the gate, stars dim above
the ravine, a fire burning by the side
porch and a few tired souls hunched over
in black leather jackets. In the huge
wooden house, a yellow chandelier
at 3 A.M. the blast of loudspeakers
hi-fi Rolling Stones Ray Charles Beatles
Jumping Joe Jackson and twenty youths
dancing to the vibration thru the floor,
a little weed in the bathroom, girls in scarlet
tights, one muscular smooth skinned man
sweating dancing for hours, beer cans
bent littering the yard, a hanged man
sculpture dangling from a high creek branch,
children sleeping softly in their bedroom bunks.
And 4 police cars parked outside the painted
gate, red lights revolving in the leaves.
Was this album really released the month before I turned 10?!
We used to listen to it in Mrs. Macy's art class.
She also brought in the Life magazine that featured photos of 242 American servicemen killed in a single week of fighting during the Vietnam War. (It was a June 1969 edition.)
So I guess the album was a few years old when she played it for us.
We used to listen to it in Mrs. Macy's art class.
She also brought in the Life magazine that featured photos of 242 American servicemen killed in a single week of fighting during the Vietnam War. (It was a June 1969 edition.)
So I guess the album was a few years old when she played it for us.
Wonder why Pentangle have'nt done this one....
My first memory of this song was listening it on my personal mono AM alarm radio for kids. I think I was 5 or 6 years old. Around 1988. I really really liked it, but never heared the song again for years. It was among a few songs I really liked. Years later I discovered that it was a song from Simon & Garfunkel. The other songs were from the Birds, the Beach Boys and (the accoustic version of Hotel California) the Eagles.
My parents were amused that I listened to the old crap as they named it. But those songs are still good while most of the 80's and 90's sound outdated and are ready to become forgotten.
My parents were amused that I listened to the old crap as they named it. But those songs are still good while most of the 80's and 90's sound outdated and are ready to become forgotten.
tfioreze wrote:
Okay. I'll raise a tankard o' mead to ye.
Sublime baroque-kind-of-song then :)
Proclivities wrote:
It's a little newer than medieval - likely from as early as the 17th Century.
Proclivities wrote:
It's a little newer than medieval - likely from as early as the 17th Century.
Okay.
I'll raise a tankard o' mead to ye. lemmoth wrote:
I remember listening to Simon and Garfunkle on Robert Froner's Reel to Reel in his backyard.
Wow.
That is great, I love this song! My uncle still listens to music on reel to reel>
I remember listening to Simon and Garfunkle on Robert Froner's Reel to Reel in his backyard.
Wow.
That is great, I love this song! My uncle still listens to music on reel to reel>
Amyjacksoncc wrote:
You were in drag listening to this?
My first favorite song as a girl ...
You were in drag listening to this?
One of the classic theme songs for us Baby Boomers. Takes me back to my college days.
Paul Simon has been making amazing music for a very, very long time.
Whoever voted "1" for this song has no concept of "beautiful."
Phlegmaticman wrote:
Would you also pay for their psych counseling?
I used to know a cat named PSRT, which was an acronym. Pronounced "sert."
abbey_normal wrote:
abbey_normal wrote:
If I ever ended up with quadruplets, I'd name them Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.
I would.
Would you also pay for their psych counseling?
My first favorite song as a girl ...
Sublime baroque-kind-of-song then :)
Proclivities wrote:
It's a little newer than medieval - likely from as early as the 17th Century.
Proclivities wrote:
It's a little newer than medieval - likely from as early as the 17th Century.
Ah...beautiful music is a wonder...SF is wonderful for the right momentFond of.
tfioreze wrote:
It's a little newer than medieval - likely from as early as the 17th Century.
Sublime medieval-kind-of-song
It's a little newer than medieval - likely from as early as the 17th Century.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Sublime medieval-kind-of-song
makes me want some hasenpfeffer
G O D L I K E +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ nagsheadlocal wrote:
The movie was before my time, but I view at rather timeless. There will always be Mrs. Robinsons and Benjamins. The script and the way the movie is shot is brilliant. One of the few pre-1970 films I enjoy watching over and over along with Paul Newman movies and Spaghetti Westerns.
My partner and I recently watched "The Graduate" - the movie has not aged well, but the soundtrack, of which this is part, is still glorious.
The movie was before my time, but I view at rather timeless. There will always be Mrs. Robinsons and Benjamins. The script and the way the movie is shot is brilliant. One of the few pre-1970 films I enjoy watching over and over along with Paul Newman movies and Spaghetti Westerns.
This was on the Graduate movie soundtrack. The first album I was able to load and play
on my Mom's stereo when I was 7, in 1971. I listened to it endlessly!
on my Mom's stereo when I was 7, in 1971. I listened to it endlessly!
As beautiful as a song can be.
eswiley2 wrote:
I would say The Boxer.
Only one that tops this is... Bridge Over Troubled Water.
I would say The Boxer.
DaveInVA wrote:
I remember listening to Simon and Garfunkle on Robert Froner's Reel to Reel in his backyard.
Wow.
I remember listening to Simon and Garfunkle on Robert Froner's Reel to Reel in his backyard.
Wow.
Whenever I hear this, I see Dustin Hoffman driving an Alfa Romeo Spider up to Berkeley......"E-LAAAAAAAINNNNE!!!!!"
I used to know a cat named PSRT, which was an acronym. Pronounced "sert."
abbey_normal wrote:
abbey_normal wrote:
If I ever ended up with quadruplets, I'd name them Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.
I would.
amazing how beautiful this song really is... love it...
My partner and I recently watched "The Graduate" - the movie has not aged well, but the soundtrack, of which this is part, is still glorious.
incredible song... from a truly great album...
Ahh, the memories-10th grade- 1st date-"The Graduate"- Dustin Hoffman driving his red sports car
abbey_normal wrote:
You'd have a great tradition to follow: Ambrosia Parsley, Rachel Sage, Rosemary Clooney, and Thyme—all backed up by Thyme's band, Thyme. Get all that?
If I ever ended up with quadruplets, I'd name them Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.
I would.
You'd have a great tradition to follow: Ambrosia Parsley, Rachel Sage, Rosemary Clooney, and Thyme—all backed up by Thyme's band, Thyme. Get all that?
Such a lovely simple album.
10! 10! 10! 
danuneken wrote:
I wore that album out. Then I saw TM at the Albert Hall with It's a Beautiful Day. Good times for a kid.
Always loved how this song on "The Rock Machine Turns You On" album was followed by Taj Mahals' "Statesboro' Blues" !!!
Nice a change of pace!
Nice a change of pace!
I wore that album out. Then I saw TM at the Albert Hall with It's a Beautiful Day. Good times for a kid.
Definition of a true classic. Paul Simon = poet.
(Hanging in Perth on business, love that RP sounds just fine here!)
(Hanging in Perth on business, love that RP sounds just fine here!)
mistabird wrote:
Ich auch!
ein sehr schönes lied ich liebe es
Ich auch!
ein sehr schönes lied ich liebe es
Tana wrote:
Half of it is a folk song. See Romeotuna's comment below.
What an utterly gorgeous song! And it holds up remarkably well over time, perhaps because it's like a folk song.
Half of it is a folk song. See Romeotuna's comment below.
If I ever ended up with quadruplets, I'd name them Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.
I would.
What an utterly gorgeous song! And it holds up remarkably well over time, perhaps because it's like a folk song.
One word... 
One Word: Timeless!!
jagdriver wrote:
Hmm. I was ready to sorta leave this one alone, but the "sheer volume" argument—it could be 100,000 tracks of Britney Spears, Air Supply, and Barry Manilow—means zippo. Stick with taste. Desgustibus non disputandum est.
Not so. My listening crosses many genres, with my collection numbering over 100,000 tracks. I like certain songs that bring out my so-called feminine side, but I could never appreciate Artie's perceived talent. Ever. Paul I can take in limited doses.
Hmm. I was ready to sorta leave this one alone, but the "sheer volume" argument—it could be 100,000 tracks of Britney Spears, Air Supply, and Barry Manilow—means zippo. Stick with taste. Desgustibus non disputandum est.
I am not a huge Simon and Garfunkel fan (though not a hater either) but I love this song in any incarnation. This is just a great song!