Formed with the initial destruction of The Allman Brothers Band, the group that evolved into Sea Level was the trio We Three. Featuring Lamar Williams (bass), Jaimoe (drums) and Chuck Leavell (piano, keyboards, vocals), all then-members of the Allman Brothers, the trio would occasionally open shows for the group in 1975 and 1976. With the Allmans' first disbanding in 1976, the trio added guitarist Jimmy Nalls and named the band based on a phoenetic pun of their leader's name (C. Leavell). They toured relentlessly, eventually signing with Capricorn Records (home of the Allman Brothers) and recording their debut album.
After the release of their first album, the group expanded to a septet with the additions of Davis Causey (guitar), George Weaver (percussion) and Randall Bramblett (saxophones, keyboards and vocals). That configuration recorded the group's second album (which produced a moderate "hit" with "That's Your Secret"). By the time of the third, Jaimoe and Weaver had both left, replaced by Joe English. The sextet of Bramblett, Causey, English, Leavell, Nalls and Williams recorded the fourth album, unreleased in the United States for nearly twenty years, adding percussionist Matt Greeley for their fifth and final album, issued on Arista in 1980.
Scarborough fair
Sea Level Lyrics
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Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
For once she was a true love of mine
Have her make me a cambric shirt
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Without no seam nor fine needle work
Tell her to weave it in a sycamore wood lane
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
And gather it all with a basket of flowers
And then she'll be a true love of mine
Have her wash it in yonder dry well
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
where water ne'er sprung nor drop of rain fell
And then she'll be a true love of mine
Have her find me an acre of land
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Between the sea foam and over the sand
And then she'll be a true love of mine
Plow the land with the horn of a lamb
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Then sow some seeds from north of the dam
And then she'll be a true love of mine
Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
And gather it all in a bunch of heather
And then she'll be a true love of mine
If she tells me she can't, I'll reply
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Let me know that at least she will try
And then she'll be a true love of mine
Love imposes impossible tasks
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Though not more than any heart asks
And I must know she's a true love of mine
Dear, when thou has finished thy task
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Come to me, my hand for to ask
For thou then art a true love of mine
The song Scarborough Fair is a traditional English folk ballad, which has been passed down from generation to generation. The composer is unknown, but it dates back to the 17th century. It is a love song about an impossible love between two people, where the singer is sending a message to the girl he loves through a third person. In the song, he asks the third person to take some herbs, such as parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, to the girl and remember him to her. "For once she was a true love of mine" implies that they had a romantic relationship in the past, but it has now ended. The singer then gives the girl a series of impossible tasks to complete, such as making a cambric shirt without needlework and washing it in a dry well. These tasks are symbolic of the difficulties one must overcome in order to restore love. In the end, the singer tells the girl that if she completes the tasks, "then she'll be a true love of mine."
The lyrics of Scarborough Fair have been subject to many interpretations over the years. Some people believe that the herbs mentioned in the song symbolize certain virtues or emotions, such as parsley for comfort, sage for strength, rosemary for remembrance and thyme for courage. Others believe that the song reflects the medieval practice of using herbs to cure diseases. The impossible tasks given to the girl can also be interpreted as a test of loyalty and devotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Are you headed to Scarborough Fair? The annual market festival that brings in goods from all around the country.
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
These four herbs were commonly used for medicinal reasons and also as a sign of purity and cleansing.
Remember me to one who lives there
If you happen to meet someone from Scarborough, please give them my regards.
For once she was a true love of mine
I used to love someone from Scarborough, but that love has since faded.
Have her make me a cambric shirt
Ask her to sew a shirt made from a thin, white fabric called Cambric.
Without no seam nor fine needle work
Make sure the shirt has no visible seams and that the needlework is impeccable.
And then she'll be a true love of mine
Once she fulfills this task, I will consider her to be a true love of mine.
Tell her to weave it in a sycamore wood lane
Ask her to weave the shirt in a secluded lane surrounded by sycamore trees.
And gather it all with a basket of flowers
When the weaving is complete, gather the shirt along with a basket of fresh flowers.
Have her wash it in yonder dry well
Wash the shirt in a dry well that has never seen water or rain.
Where water ne'er sprung nor drop of rain fell
This well is located in an area that has never been touched by water or rain, ensuring purity.
Have her find me an acre of land
Find me a plot of land that is between the sea foam and sand that stretches for one acre.
Plow the land with the horn of a lamb
Use the horn of a lamb to plow the land, as it is a gentle and efficient way of farming.
Then sow some seeds from north of the dam
Use seeds that have come from the north side of a nearby dam to plant crops in the newly plowed land.
Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather
When it's time to harvest, ask her to use a sickle made of leather to do so, as it is gentle on the crops.
And gather it all in a bunch of heather
When the crops are harvested, gather them in the same area where the heather flowers grow for a beautiful display.
If she tells me she can't, I'll reply
If she says she can't do it, I will respond by telling her to at least try her best.
Let me know that at least she will try
It is important to me that she puts in effort, even if she doesn't succeed.
Love imposes impossible tasks
Love often requires people to do things that seem impossible or difficult.
Though not more than any heart asks
However, these tasks are not more than what any true love would ask of their partner.
And I must know she's a true love of mine
If she completes these tasks, it will show that she is a true love of mine.
Dear, when thou has finished thy task
My dear, when you have completed all of these tasks.
Come to me, my hand for to ask
Come to me and ask for my hand in marriage, as you will have proven your love for me.
For thou then art a true love of mine
Once you have completed these tasks and asked for my hand in marriage, you will be a true love of mine.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ARTHUR GARFUNKEL, PAUL SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind