Scarborough fair
Anúna Lyrics


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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
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Without any seam nor needlework
Then she'll be 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-sand
Then he'll be a true love of mine

When he has done and finished his work
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Ask himto come for his cambric shirt
Then he'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




She once was a true love of mine
She once was a true love of mine

Overall Meaning

Anuna's "Scarborough Fair" is a traditional English ballad that seems to date back to the medieval period. The song speaks about a man who is asking a messenger to send his love a series of tasks to prove her love for him. These tasks include making a cambric shirt without a seam, finding him an acre of land between salt water and the sea-sand, and when these tasks are done, he will then consider her a true love of his. The lyrics are divided into four stanzas, each time returning to the opening refrain of the song which is "Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme". This refrain finds itself repeated throughout the song, adding to the musicality of the track.


The song has certain mystical elements. The series of tasks the man asks of the messenger are impossible tasks and seem to be an attempt to test the woman's love for him. The refrain of "Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme" is said to represent a potent herbal charm that is believed to act as a protection against the plague, appearing mostly in songs and poems related to the black death period. There have been multiple interpretations of the lyrics with some interpreting the song as spiritual or religious or even a song about a ritual. With various interpretations, the song still holds its power of mystique and therefore remains a classic.


Line by Line Meaning

Are you going to Scarborough fair?
Will you be attending the event in Scarborough?


Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
These are the ingredients needed for the tasks that follow


Remember me to one who lives there
Please give my regards to someone residing in Scarborough


She once was a true love of mine
I had a romantic relationship with her in the past


Tell her to make me a cambric shirt
Ask her to create a special piece of clothing for me


Without any seam nor needlework
It needs to be made using a specific method


Then she'll be a true love of mine
If she fulfills this request, I will love her again


Ask him to find me an acre of land
Request him to obtain a piece of land for me


Between the salt water and the sea-sand
The location of the land should be near the coast


When he has done and finished his work
After he has completed this task


Ask him to come for his cambric shirt
Tell him to come and collect the shirt he helped to create


Then he'll be a true love of mine
If he fulfills this request, I will love him again


She once was a true love of mine
Reiteration of the fact that there was a past romantic connection


She once was a true love of mine
Final reiteration of the past relationship




Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J.F. BACARDI, DP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@hannahlane8716

I like how Michael McGlynn doesn’t just sit aside and compose songs for the group to sing; he sings WITH them, among them. And he sings with FEELING; his voice always soothing and pleasant to listen to. Shows how dedicated he is to his work. This is beautiful. Gives me something to listen to. I’m not into long drawn-out thoughts but I just thought Anuna should know how much they’re appreciated. Thx guys.

@anunachoir

Thank you Hannah. We are listening always.

@karenalionsocelestino1276

You just said everything 🥰

@rjrog77

This is, I think, the first version of Scarborough Fair I've seen in a while that doesn't use the counter-melody that Simon & Garfunkel popularised in their version. And much as I like the Simon & Garfunkel version, I like this very much as well.

@tccfan1

I have never heard such harmonies. I only just discovered the Celtic genre a couple days ago, but I'm pretty sure Anuna is my favorite sect of the genre I've heard so far.

@MrJdsenior

I wrote this and then realized that said 8 years ago, not months or days, but anyway if you haven't heard them you might want to check out Celtic Women. Different style, much larger productions, but worth a hearing, IMHO since you like the genre.

@Naturemad1

The singers in Anuna are truly an inspiration.

@assyaviolin705

I adore ANÚNA! Thank you for existing and sharing the love to music! ❤️

@darrianweathington1923

Greensleeves, the song the got me into medieval type music.

you all have done beautifully :')

@ninjettifire

I am delighted to have seen this performance. Everyone involved allowed the music to flow through them.

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