Originally, the song is a Scottish folk song called "The Bonnie Lass o' Fyvie" and is about a thwarted romance between a soldier and a girl. It has been covered by various artists, commonly under the name "Peggy-O". The authorship of the song "The Bonnie Lass o' Fyvie" is unknown and there is no strict version of the lyrics. Simon and Garfunkel sing the variant of the song where the captain threatens to burn the city down if his advances are refused.
Peggy
Simon & Garfunkel Lyrics
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As we marched down to Faneri-o
Our captain fell in love with a lady like a dove
And they called her name, pretty Peggy-o
Come a runnin' down the stairs, pretty Peggy-o
Come a runnin' down the stairs, pretty Peggy-o
Come a runnin' down the stairs, combin' back your yellow hair
In a carriage you will ride, pretty Peggy-o
In a carriage you will ride, pretty Peggy-o
In a carriage you will ride, with your true love by your side
As far as any maiden in the are-o
What will your mother say, pretty Peggy-o?
What will your mother say, pretty Peggy-o?
What will your mother say, when she finds you've gone away
To places far and strange to Faneri-o?
If ever I return, pretty Peggy-o
If ever I return, pretty Peggy-o
If ever I return, all your cities I will burn
Destroying all the ladies in the are-o
Destroying all the ladies in the are-o
The lyrics to Simon & Garfunkel's song "Peggy-O" tell a story of a captain falling in love with a woman named Peggy-O. As they march down to Faneri-o, the captain and Peggy-o share a moment where he compliments her beauty, telling her that she is the prettiest girl he has ever seen. He then says that she will ride in a carriage with her true love by her side, however, Peggy-o's mother might not be happy with the situation. The song ends on a dark note with the captain saying that if he returns, he will destroy all the ladies in the area.
The story in "Peggy-O" is a classic example of a folk ballad, with its narrative structure and simple, repetitive musical structure. The dialogue between the captain and Peggy-o reveals the struggles between love and societal expectations, as well as power dynamics between men and women. The ending, where the captain threatens violence against all the women in the region if Peggy-o rejects him, highlights the potential dangers women faced when interacting with men in positions of power.
Line by Line Meaning
As we marched down to Faneri-o
As we were marching towards Faneri-o, a village or a region, we were probably a group of soldiers or travelers.
Our captain fell in love with a lady like a dove
Our captain fell in love with a woman who had the same characteristics as a dove, which is commonly known as a symbol of gentleness, purity, and love.
And they called her name, pretty Peggy-o
The woman our captain fell in love with was known by the name of pretty Peggy-o.
Come a runnin' down the stairs, pretty Peggy-o
Pretty Peggy-o, who was possibly living in a higher floor of a building, came running down the stairs upon hearing something or someone downstairs.
Come a runnin' down the stairs, combin' back your yellow hair
As she rushed down the stairs, Peggy-o was combing back her yellow hair, making herself look presentable and beautiful.
You're the prettiest little girl I've ever seen-o
As Peggy-o appeared before the captain, he couldn't help but remark on her beauty, calling her the prettiest girl he had ever seen.
In a carriage you will ride, pretty Peggy-o
The captain promises Peggy-o that she will ride in a carriage, a sign of luxury and comfort.
In a carriage you will ride, with your true love by your side
Not only will Peggy-o ride in a carriage, but her true love, the captain, will also be by her side as they travel together.
As far as any maiden in the are-o
The promise the captain makes to Peggy-o is as good as any promise made to a maiden in Faneri-o, indicating the seriousness and sincerity of his words.
What will your mother say, pretty Peggy-o?
The captain asks Peggy-o about what her mother will say, indicating that their plans may require Peggy-o to leave her family for a time.
What will your mother say, when she finds you've gone away
The captain is aware that Peggy-o may leave her mother behind and is asking her a rhetorical question about what her mother will say or do when she finds out.
To places far and strange to Faneri-o?
The captain suggests that they will go to places that are foreign and unfamiliar to those in Faneri-o, further indicating the adventure and journey that he and Peggy-o may embark on together.
If ever I return, pretty Peggy-o
The captain suggests that he may return from his travels, which means he and Peggy-o may have to part for a time, and he wants her to know that he may come back to Faneri-o.
If ever I return, all your cities I will burn
The captain jokingly proposes that if he ever returns, he will burn down all the cities in Faneri-o, indicating that he is not a serious threat but rather showing his love for Peggy-o through humor.
Destroying all the ladies in the are-o
The captain even goes as far as saying that he will destroy all the ladies in Faneri-o, which is another humorous threat and a way to express his love and admiration for Peggy-o.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Arthur Garfunkel, Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Beth Bailey
on The Sounds Of Silence
Aragon Courts 1967