Scarborough Fair
Sergio Mendes Brasil '66 Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Are you goin' to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
Remember me to the one who lives there,
He once was a true love of mine.
[Repeat x 4]

Scarborough Fair.
Scarborough Fair.
Scarborough Fair.





Overall Meaning

In this classic folk song, the singer questions if the person they are addressing is going to the Scarborough Fair. The repetition of the phrase "Scarborough Fair" gives the song a mesmerizing effect that pulls the listener in. The references to herbs such as parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme are symbolic and tell the story of a lost love. The singer then asks the person going to the fair to remember them to the one who lives there, who was once their true love.


The herbs mentioned in the song have a specific meaning. Parsley symbolizes comfort, sage represents strength, rosemary is for remembrance, and thyme stands for courage. These herbs create an atmosphere of healing and protection.


The song is believed to have originated in the 17th century and was commonly sung by bards and minstrels in England. In the 1960s, the English folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel recorded a version of the song that became an instant hit. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years and is considered a timeless classic.


Line by Line Meaning

Are you goin' to Scarborough Fair?
Are you planning to attend an event in Scarborough Fair?


Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
These are herbs that are mentioned in the song to make it more melodious. They don't have any particular meaning.


Remember me to the one who lives there,
If you happen to meet someone I used to love who lives in Scarborough Fair, please pass on my regards to them.


He once was a true love of mine.
I used to love him but we are not together anymore.


Scarborough Fair.
This line is repeated in the song several times, emphasizing the importance of this event.


Scarborough Fair.
Repeated again as a way of continuing to emphasize the importance of the event and the emotions and memories attached to it.


Scarborough Fair.
One final repetition to make it clear that this event is the central theme of the song and holds significant personal importance to the singer.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CARLY SIMON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@AlteredBates

Heavy Traffic is what made me fall head over heels for this one.

@JGordonAuthor

Me too

@RagingReality

Same.

@ericwilliams1575

Me as well

@cynthiaculiner9

You have no taste

@juanchavez8444

One of the best scenes ever

15 More Replies...

@mike44scv1

As a kid, I remember this song playing on the radio - on Thanksgiving morning 1968 as I was dressing to go out and play in the snow. Funny how music can bring back a snapshot in time.... when little else can.

@VoltVisionary

What a ultra beautiful experience

@consv

My favorite version of this song. Reminds me of summer in the 60's.

@conniee.

Yes, mine too, and that's the last time I think I heard it, was in the '60s on the radio.🤔😊 The title was always hard for me to remember later on through the years, but then a few days ago I remembered that Brazil 66 had made the version of this song that I had heard back in the '60s, I looked up Brazil 66 on YT, so when I saw the title, then I remembered, "yes, that's it" so here I Am.😄

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