70 Favorite Songs: 50. Scarborough Fair

 

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.

Tell her to make me a cambric shirt,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Without no 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.

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.

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.

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.

Composer(s): Traditional English Ballad / Unknown (said to have been based on an earlier Scottish ballad)
First Released: 17th-18th century
Genre: Traditional English Ballad
Popular Covers: Simon and Garfunkel, Sarah Brightman, Sergio Mendes & Brasill ‘66
First heard in: hmmm…can’t remember either. I might have read the lyrics first in English class. I do remember Sarah Brightman’s version (in her album La Luna) always on repeat in my CD player before.
Performer in YouTube [above]: Sarah Brightman (I love Sarah Brightman and I love her version of the song but she looks so funny/creepy singing it in the video. oh well. just close your eyes and listen. haha.)
Performer in MP3 [see my multiply site]: Simon and Garfunkel
Why I Love It: Love imposes impossible tasks. enough said.
Also Listen To: Other popular traditional english ballads are “Oh Danny Boy” and “Greensleeves.” I vaguely remember loving something…I can’t remember the title but it had something to do with a Barbara Allen. and “Early One Morning” as featured in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. haha.

Haha, Stumbled on One of My Old Files and Thought I’d Post It

7 Steps to a TV Love Triangle:
(a la Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Veronica Mars and Dawson’s Creek)

Step 1: Fall in love with Mr. Handsome Responsible Guy, even if it seems hopeless.

Step 2: Turns out, Mr. Handsome Responsible Guy likes you too and you hook up.

Step 3: You break up because a) you just don’t work as a couple and you keep fighting, b) he turned into mr. evil or c) he thinks you’re his half-sister.

Step 4: Develop feelings for Mr. Handsome Responsible Guy’s best friend, Mr. Handsome Irresponsible Guy who you used to loathe with a I-wouldn’t-want-you-if-you-were-the-last-guy-on-earth kind of loathing. Start making out with Mr. Handsome Irresponsible Guy in empty bathrooms, deserted boat sheds, or his crypt.

Step 5: Break up with Mr. Handsome Irresponsible Guy because he’s totally irresponsible and not for you. Besides, you’re not really over Mr. Handsome Responsible Guy yet.

Step 6: Hook up with Mr. Handsome Responsible Guy again. Break up with Mr. Handsome Responsible Guy again. Hook up with other guys who just don’t measure up to Mr. Handsome Reponsible Guy or Mr. Handsome Irresponsible Guy for that matter.

Step 7: End up with Mr. Handsome Irresponsible Guy because you realize he’s your true love. In the meantime, Mr. Handsome Responsible Guy will always be your soulmate.