Scarborough Fair
Rua Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Man

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

Tell him to make me a cambric shirt
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Without no seam, nor fine needlework
Then he'll be a true love of mine

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rua's song Scarborough Fair are full of symbolism and references to an old English folk song of the same name. The song speaks of a man asking his messenger to go to Scarborough Fair, an important trading fair in medieval England. He then lists four herbs - parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme - and asks his messenger to remember him to his former lover who lives there. Each herb has its own symbolic meaning: parsley for comfort, sage for strength, rosemary for love, and thyme for courage. The man then asks his messenger to deliver two more messages to his former lover: to make him a cambric shirt without any seams or needlework, and to find him an acre of land between the sea and the salt water. If she does these things, he will consider her his true love.


The lyrics can be interpreted as a plea for the return of a lost lover, or as a challenging list of impossible tasks designed to prove the loyalty and commitment of the former lover. The reference to Scarborough Fair is a nod to medieval tradition and culture, and suggests that the song is steeped in history and folklore.


Line by Line Meaning

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Asking if the person is going to a fair held in Scarborough.


Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Herbs used in medieval times for their healing and culinary properties.


Remember me to one who lives there
Request to send greetings to someone who lives in Scarborough.


He once was a true love of mine
Referring to a past romantic relationship she had with the person in Scarborough.


Tell him to make me a cambric shirt
Asking the person to make her a specific type of shirt made from fine, white linen.


Without no seam, nor fine needlework
Asking for the shirt to be made without any visible seams or stitches.


Then he'll be a true love of mine
Suggesting that if the person makes the shirt, they will rekindle their romantic relationship.


Tell him to find me an acre of land
Asking for a specific amount of land to be gifted to her by the person in Scarborough.


Between the salt water and the sea strand
Requesting that the land be located near the ocean.


Then he'll be a true love of mine
Implying that if the person grants her request for the land, she will fall in love with them once again.


Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Repeating the initial question about attending the aforementioned fair.


Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Repeating the herbs mentioned earlier, which symbolize nostalgia for the Middle Ages.


Remember me to one who lives there
Final reminder to send greetings to the person in Scarborough who she once loved.


He once was a true love of mine
Reiterating that the person in Scarborough was once a significant romantic interest of hers.




Writer(s): gloria mulhall

Contributed by Sadie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@ScarboroughLane

She is so good that this has stuck in my mind for 6 YEARS and I still come in listen every once in awhile!

@melanypazmino7435

Same here

@beachbum088

me too!!

@itthipongaemimanan7306

Me too

@generalruckus

Same!!! Please suggest similar songs, if you know any.

@eltigre_01

@@generalruckus https://youtu.be/_LNcX1eS6qA

81 More Replies...

@OldSchoolClassic9

I'm into hardcore underground rap and I cried like a bitch when I heard this

@OldSchoolClassic9

+OldSchoolClassic9 I'm not even ashamed

@cr7ck5

+OldSchoolClassic9

greatest comment fucking ever

@BiancaAbreu1507

+OldSchoolClassic9 HAHAHA

More Comments

More Versions