Scarborough fair
Sarah Brightman [莎拉布莱曼] Lyrics


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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 seams nor needle work
Then he'll be a true love of mine

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

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

"Scarborough Fair" is a traditional ballad that finds its origin in Medieval England. Sarah Brightman's version of the song carries the essence of the original version but introduces a more modern interpretation to the melody.


The opening lines of the song, "Are you going to Scarborough Fair?" refers to a well-known fair in Yorkshire, England, that lasted for 45 days during the middle ages, allowing people from all around the country to come together and trade goods. As the song continues, the lyrics mention four herbs: parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. These herbs have been interpreted to have specific meanings; parsley signifies comfort, sage represents strength, rosemary symbolizes love, and thyme signifies courage.


The song goes on to tell the story of a woman who asks her lover to perform a series of impossible tasks in order to prove their love for her. She requests that he makes her a cambric shirt without any seams or needlework. A cambric shirt was a highly expensive and intricate garment in medieval England, indicating that the woman was testing the love of her partner by asking for such a rare item. The woman then asks her lover to find an acre of land between the sea and saltwater and to reap the land with a sickle of leather and gather the harvest in a bunch of heather. The song ends with the woman's request to the messenger, to remember her to the man she once loved.


Overall, the lyrics of the song carry the essence of medieval poetry, with its use of imagery and symbolism to express complex emotions. The song is a reflection of the social norms and traditions of the period it was written in, where courtship often depended on the ability to perform difficult and symbolic tasks to demonstrate love and devotion.


Line by Line Meaning

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Are you heading towards Scarborough Fair?


Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Mentioning common herbs used in cooking


Remember me to one who lives there
Send my regards to the person living there


He once was a true love of mine
I used to love him dearly


Tell him to make me a cambric shirt
Ask him to sew me a fine piece of clothing


Without no seams nor needle work
To be sewed without any visible seams or stitches


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


Tell him to find me an acre of land
Request him to search for a plot of land


Between salt water and the sea strands
A location near the coast


And gather it all in a bunch of heather
Harvest it and tie it with a bundle of heather


Tell him to reap it with a sickle of leather
Harvest it using a sickle with a leather handle


Then he'll be a true love of mine
If he completes this task, he will regain my affection


Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Are you still heading towards Scarborough Fair?


Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Mentioning the herbs again


Remember me to one who lives there
Remind the recipient to pass on her regards to the person living in Scarborough


He once was a true love of mine
Reiterating the previous statement of past love




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KAY ARLING, ARNO FLOR, LEO LEANDROS, VICKY LEANDROS, . TRADITIONAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@elaparemekardiamou

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 seams nor needle work
Then he'll be a true love of mine
Have him wash it in yonder dry well
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Where ne'er a drop of water e'er fell
And then he'll be a true love of mine
Tell him to find me an acre of land
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Between salt water and the sea strands
Then he'll be a true love of mine
Tell him…



All comments from YouTube:

@marlondavidmaduro2332

One of the most beautiful songs ever written sung by one of the most wonderful sopranos in music history!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

@user-ew6cm5xv9i

🇯🇵素晴らしい艶やかな声です🎶✈☆☆☆☆☆

@arnoldblashak171

Yes you are so right

@relaxingmusic-soothingrela7715

Very relaxing, loved it!
For you who are reading this comment, I wish you health, success and lots of love ...
Cute kisses.

@jotajannidou1654

The same to you

@tharrykauni6703

One of my favorites. Always was, and always will be. Stirring up the longings and the silent tears of the heart. Beautiful music and voice. Thank you.

@user-jr4qn5xh6m

やっっっっっと見つけた!!!!
小さい頃から家にあった癒し系ソング集CDの曲!
恐らく人生一番最初に聞いたCD!
引っ越しで失くしてしまってずーっと探してた曲!!
その中で一番好きで何回も何回も何回も聞いた曲!!
一番好きだった曲!!ありがとう!!!!好き!!!!

@davidjensen4702

It's haunting how Sarah invites you to the fair like an ancient siren when she sings.

@gregkisinger4183

Certainly mesmerizing it is!

@DamonKelly-nk9fx

Sarah's voice takes me to another world........heavenly!!

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