Scarborough Fair
Nicholis Louw Lyrics
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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 seam nor needlework
Tell her to find me an acre of land
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Between the saltwater and the sea strand
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 to 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
The lyrics of Nicholis Louw's version of Scarborough Fair are a modern representation of a traditional English folk song dating back to the 17th century. The song tells the story of a man who asks his lover if she is going to Scarborough Fair and if so, to remember him to someone who lives there, who he once loved. He then gives her four tasks to complete so that she may become his true love once more. The tasks involve making him a shirt without any seams or needlework, finding him an acre of land between the saltwater and the sea strand, reaping it with a sickle of leather, and gathering it all up in a bunch of heather.
The use of the herbs parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme in the song is said to represent different virtues, with parsley representing comfort, sage for strength, rosemary for love, and thyme for courage. This traditional use of herbs in folk songs dates back to medieval times when they were used in medicinal and culinary practices. The four tasks set out by the man are symbolic and reflect the difficult conditions that the country was facing at the time, such as the enclosure of land and the poor economic conditions of the working classes.
The song has remained popular over the years, with many notable covers including Simon and Garfunkel's version, which remains one of the most well-known. The melancholic melody and poetic lyrics have stood the test of time, resonating with people across generations. The song continues to be a favorite of folk music enthusiasts, with its timeless message of lost love and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Will you be attending the annual festival held in Scarborough?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
The ingredients requested throughout the song for various tasks.
Remember me to one who lives there
Pass along my regards to someone residing in Scarborough.
She once was a true love of mine
I used to be romantically involved with this person in Scarborough.
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt
Inform her to craft me an undergarment made of fine linen.
Without no seam nor needlework
I prefer the shirt to be made without any stitching.
Then she'll be a true love of mine
If she creates this shirt for me, we will be reunited in love.
Tell her to find me an acre of land
Request that she locates an area measuring one acre.
Between the saltwater and the sea strand
I desire for the land to be situated near the ocean.
Tell her to reap it in a sickle of leather
Instruct her to harvest the land with a leather tool.
And to gather it all in a bunch of heather
Once the harvest is complete, gather the crops and tie them together with heather flowers.
Then she'll be a true love of mine
If she completes this task for me, our love will be rekindled.
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
A repeated inquiry wondering if the listener will attend the festival.
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
The four natural ingredients repeatedly requested throughout the song.
Remember me to one who lives there
A repeated request to send greetings to someone residing in Scarborough.
She once was a true love of mine
A reminder that the person being referred to was once involved romantically with the singer.
Contributed by Maya O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.