Scarborough fair
Hayley Lyrics
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Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
He once was a true love of mine
Tell him to make me a cambric shirt
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Without no seam, nor fine needlework
Tell him to find me an acre of land
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Between the salt water and the sea strand
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
He once was a true love of mine
The song Scarborough Fair is a traditional English ballad about a man and a woman who have separated, and the woman is expressing her longing for her beloved. The song is structured in the form of a dialogue, with the man asking if the woman is going to Scarborough Fair and the woman responding with a series of requests for him to convey to her former lover if he should come across him.
The woman requests the man to remember her to her former lover, with whom she had a relationship in the past. She also tells him to ask him to make her a cambric shirt without any seam or fine needlework so that he'll become her true love again. The song continues with the woman's request for an acre of land between the saltwater and the seashore to cement their love.
The use of herbs such as parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme in the refrain of the song is significant as these herbs were believed to have mystical properties during medieval times. The lyrics of the song have often been associated with the practice of witchcraft, and it has been suggested that the music was used in pagan rituals.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Are you planning to go to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
These four herbs were used for protection, love, and healing in medieval times.
Remember me to one who lives there
Please pass on my greeting to someone who lives in Scarborough Fair.
He once was a true love of mine
I used to love him deeply at one point.
Tell him to make me a cambric shirt
Ask him to make a soft and breathable garment for me using cambric fabric.
Without no seam, nor fine needlework
It should be made without any visible seams or stitching, demonstrating his skill and care.
Then he'll be a true love of mine
If he makes the shirt I desire, I will love and appreciate him even more.
Tell him to find me an acre of land
I want him to find me a piece of land, measuring an acre in size.
Between the salt water and the sea strand
I want the land to be located between the shorelines of the ocean and the saltwater rivers or marshes.
Then he'll be a true love of mine
If he finds me the land I long for, I will truly love and treasure him forever.
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Once again, are you planning to visit Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
These same four herbs are mentioned once again, continuing the theme of protection and love.
Remember me to one who lives there
Yet again, please say hello to someone for me who lives in Scarborough Fair.
He once was a true love of mine
The song finishes with the repetition of this line, reminding us of an old love now gone.
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J.F. BACARDI, DP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind