Scarborough Fair
Ataraxia 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 no seams nor needlework
Then she'll be a true love of mine

Tell her to find me an acre of land
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Between salt water and the sea strands
Then she'll be a true love of mine.

Tell her to reap it in a sickle of leather
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
And gather it all in a bunch of heather
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.

Overall Meaning

Ataraxia's rendition of "Scarborough Fair" is a haunting and ethereal take on the classic English ballad. The song's lyrics recount a lover's plea to a messenger to deliver a series of impossible tasks to his former love in Scarborough, England. The opening lines of the song set the stage for the lover's request as he asks the messenger if they are going to Scarborough Fair. The use of the herbs parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme in each task the lover requests is believed to hold symbolic meanings, with each herb representing different virtues and qualities.


The first task the lover asks of his former love is to make him a cambric shirt without seams or needlework, a seemingly impossible feat that requires the skill of an expert seamstress. The second request is for an acre of land between salt water and the sea strands, which would be a coveted and valuable piece of property. The third task is to reap the land with a sickle of leather and gather it in a bunch of heather, a task that would be very difficult without the proper tools or experience.


The final lines of the song repeat the opening lines, reminding the messenger of the importance of the task at hand and of the lover's deep longing for his former love. Ataraxia's version of "Scarborough Fair" captures the melancholy and wistfulness of the lyrics in a haunting and beautiful way, inviting listeners to join the lover in his plea for lost love.


Line by Line Meaning

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Will you be visiting Scarborough Fair?


Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
These are herbs that relate to the tasks in the following verses.


Remember me to one who lives there,
Please give my regards to the person who lives in Scarborough Fair.


She once was a true love of mine.
This person was once my romantic partner.


Tell her to make me a cambric shirt
Ask her to sew me a lightweight, finely woven shirt.


Without no seams nor needlework
It should be made without any visible stitching.


Then she'll be a true love of mine
If she makes this shirt, I will love her.


Tell her to find me an acre of land
Ask her to acquire one acre of land for me.


Between salt water and the sea strands
It should be located near the ocean.


Then she'll be a true love of mine.
If she accomplishes this task, I will love her.


Tell her to reap it in a sickle of leather
Instruct her to cut the crops using a leather tool.


And gather it all in a bunch of heather
Collect it in a bundle of heather flowers.


Then she'll be a true love of mine.
If she completes this task, I will love her.


Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
Asking again if the listener is traveling to Scarborough Fair, while repeating the herbs from earlier.


Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine.
Closing repetitions of the opening verse, again requesting the listener to give greetings to the person in Scarborough Fair who the author once loved.




Contributed by Evelyn R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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