17 year old Siobhan Owen was born in Wales with Welsh and Irish heritage, b… Read Full Bio ↴17 year old Siobhan Owen was born in Wales with Welsh and Irish heritage, but now lives in Adelaide, Australia. Classically trained, Siobhan also turns her haunting soprano voice and delicate harp playing to a repertoire of traditional Celtic songs. At a young age she has already recorded three albums, won prestigious classical and folk performer awards and has played at many major festivals and concerts around Australia. She is a truly enchanting performer!

Having already been acclaimed as a promising soprano, Siobhan started playing harp mid 2008 after being inspired by French singer/harpist Cecile Corbel who invited Siobhan to sing at one of her Adelaide Fringe Festival Shows after they met on myspace! Siobhan will have her own show at the 2010 Adelaide Fringe Festival, performing songs from her "Celestial Echoes" album.

Earlier this year Siobhan was voted the South Australian Folk Awards "Most Outstanding Emerging Artist". She also won the Junior Vocal Championship (Classical) in the Adelaide Eisteddfod, and receive an High Distinction (A+) in her Grade 6 AMEB (Australian Music Examination Board) Classical singing exam.

Siobhan has released 2 albums: "Purely Celtic" (2008) and "Celestial Echoes" (2009). Both albums are available from her website. Celestial Echoes is also available for download from CD Baby and iTunes.

Websites at www.siobhanowen.com, www.myspace.com/siobhanowen, and www.youtube.com/sharbas.

Scarborough fair
Siobhan Owen Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 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

Siobhan Owen's rendition of Scarborough Fair is a hauntingly beautiful song that has its roots in English folklore. The song takes the listener on a nostalgic journey back to a time when a simple request could be made by sending a message to a loved one through a third person. The lyrics paint a picture of unrequited love, where a former lover is asking a messenger to take a series of seemingly impossible requests to her old flame in Scarborough. Each verse contains a new request, and the final line repeats the original plea to the messenger to remember her to the one who lives in Scarborough and who was once a true love of hers.

The use of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme in the repeated chorus has significance in English folklore. These herbs were believed to have mystical powers when combined together, and they were often used in love spells and other rituals. The lyrics, therefore, have a deeper meaning than just a list of herbs. They are symbolic of the mystical powers of love and the possibility of a rekindled romance.

Overall, Siobhan Owen's Scarborough Fair is a powerful and moving piece of music that captures the imagination and transports the listener to another time and place.

Line by Line Meaning

Are you going to Scarborough fair?
Will you be going to Scarborough Fair?

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
These specific herbs are mentioned for their significance and symbolism in traditional folk medicine and love spells.

Remember me to one who lives there
Please give my regards to someone who lives in the area.

He once was a true love of mine
At one point, he was my true love and I have fond memories.

Tell him to make me a cambric shirt
Ask him to craft a special shirt made of cambric, a fine linen or cotton fabric.

Without no seam nor needlework
The shirt should have no seams or stitches for a simple and elegant look.

Then he'll be a true love of mine
If he fulfills this request, I will consider him a true love again.

Tell him to find me an acre of land
Ask him to obtain an acre of land in a specific location.

Between the salt water and the sea strand
The land should be situated near the coast or sea.

Are you going to Scarborough fair?
Will you be going to Scarborough Fair again?

Remember me to one who lives there
Please give my regards to someone who lives in the area, as before.

He once was a true love of mine
Again, I recall that he was once my true love.

Contributed by Gabriella P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it