Scarborough Fair:
Scarborough is a town on the east coast of England and in the medieval age, there was a fair held every year. It lasted for 45 days during which traders came from all parts of Europe. "Scarborough Fair" the song is very old, dating at least from the 17th century and possibly older. It is believed to have come from a Scottish song, "The Elfin Knight", in which an Elf threatens to abduct a woman unless she can perform a series of tasks. In "Scarborough Fair" the spurned lover is asked to perform equally impossible tasks in order to be taken back by the person singing the song.
As the song spread, the verses changed and were added to, so that by the end of the 18th century, there were dozens of variations. Only a few are known today. Some theories about the line "parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme" point to herbs and flowers having different meanings. Parsley means "I'm yours"; sage, "I'm dependable"; rosemary, "remember me" and thyme is "I want you to bear my children".
The following version is relatively modern and is arranged as a duet:
BOTH
Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, Remember me to one who lives there, For she/he once was a true love of mine.
MAN
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Without any seam nor needlework,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.
Tell her to wash it in yonder dry well,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Which never sprung water nor rain ever fell,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.
Tell her to dry it on yonder thorn,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Which never bore blossom since Adam was born,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.
Ask her to do me this courtesy,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And ask for a like favour from me,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.
BOTH
Have you been to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Remember me from one who lives there,
For she/he once was a true love of mine.
WOMAN
Ask him to find me an acre of land,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Between the salt water and the sea-strand,
For then he'll be a true love of mine.
Ask him to plough it with a lamb's horn,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And sow it all over with one peppercorn,
For then he'll be a true love of mine.
Ask him to reap it with a sickle of leather,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And gather it up with a rope made of heather,
For then he'll be a true love of mine.
When he has done and finished his work,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Ask him to come for his cambric shirt,
For then he'll be a true love of mine.
BOTH
If you say that you can't, then I shall reply,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Oh, Let me know that at least you will try,
Or you'll never be a true love of mine.
Love imposes impossible tasks,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
But none more than any heart would ask,
I must know you're a true love of mine.
Versions
Some singers who have performed the song are:
Simon & Garfunkle, Bob Dylan, Justin Hayward, Sarah Brightman, Herbie Hancock, Nana Mouskouri, Queensryche, Marianne Faithfull, Roger Whittaker, Medwyn Goodall, the Mediaeval Baebes, Hayley Westenra, and Lesley Garrett. Other singers and bands have performed altered versions, some with lyrics inspired by the song.