When my 5yo heard this song for the first time she said "They don't say if Parsley saved Rosemary in time." That was 20 years ago and we still laugh about it ....

We had to study this song at school, and although the "love song" part sounds like a love song, the soldier is actually asking his love to prepare for his funeral by gathering herbs and making him a "cambric shirt", which is what they buried people in in medieval teams. So he was off at war, but knew he was going to die, and wanted his true love to make sure his was buried properly. The "war song" is more straightforward and just points out the futility of war.

Has anyone picked up on the fact that everything the man asks for is an impossibility? A shirt can't be made without seams or needlework. There is no land between the ocean and the water's edge. A bunch of heather blooms can't be used to gather grain. In another version of the song, he tells her to reap it with a sickle made of leather; another impossibility. The idea someone mentioned that he is singing from his grave makes a lot of sense to me, because it is also impossible for him to get his true love back if he's dead. The song is an old English folk song. Many other verses exist, such as one where he tells her to sow the acre of land with a single peppercorn. Canticle is so haunting and it's amazing the way they combined the two songs. This is one of my all-time favorites.

This version of "Scarborough Fair" was based on a traditional English melody, but "Canticle" is based on Paul Simon's anti-war song "The Side of a Hill." The medieval English feeling is enhanced by the inclusion of a harpsichord and a recorder (the instrument you thought was a flute). Though the sound is medieval, I'm sure a lot of men fighting in Vietnam at the time could relate to the lyrics.

My take on this lovely song is that a young soldier, just married before he left for war, is dying. He is asking that his bride make his burial clothing and asking her to find a good spot in which to bury him. He wants her to remember that she was his true love.

Interesting that you picked up so quickly on the war aspect of the song. This came out in 1967 (I was a newly enlisted recruit in the U.S. military). The dichotomy of the "conflicting" verses was immediately apparent to every single one of us "new recruits." We "identified" immediately. It's hard to imagine, now, how incredibly attuned Simon and Garfunkle were to the generation of soldiers and sailors who, fighting in Viet Nam, were living (and dying) every day. They spoke for us, and we will be forever grateful.

Thank you for being properly blown-away by this Simon and Garfunkle masterpiece.

"And to fight for a cause they've long ago forgotten." True many times.

A tragically overlooked song by this duo is For Emily Whenever I May Find Her. Arty goes off better than any song not named Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

The roots of "Scarborough Fair" trace as far back as 1670. In terms of pop music, Simon & Garfunkel went into deep time on this one, and pulled it off with aplomb!

For the Romans, parsley was a symbol of death and rebirth often used to decorate tombs; sage was a healing herb and thought to impart immortality and wisdom; rosemary was the herb of remembrance used both at weddings and funerals; thyme was said to give courage.

The genius of Paul Simon and the beauty of Art Garfunkel.

I have the thought that a soldier sings from the grave who remembers his true love in life.

Never appreciated this song enough, seeing the lyrics here is incredible. How talented he was for writing this in the manner he did with the two stories, wow...

Based on a traditional folk ballad, re-worked and recorded numerous times (Dylan's Girl From The North Country, for example), as far back as 1670 as 'The Elfin Knight' from Scotland, S&G's version is hauntingly beautiful, but still feel Simon should have included 'traditional' when listing himself as the songwriter.

They WERE geniuses indeed. So many different themes, vocalisations, harmonies and instrumentations crafted into unique songs, and delivered to us so beautifully.

Harry, just wanted to say how much I enjoy your reactions. You are such a wonderful, calm and soothing spirit with a rich voice. Thanks for the content and brilliant observations.

This song was also featured in the movie "The Graduate". A classic movie of that era

The original is thought to be from the late medieval period. Referring to Scarborough Fair near York, England. First time known it was written down was sometime in the 17th Century. The canticle added to it as an anti-war song of the 60s was genius.

Fabulous reaction. Alot of reactors miss it now. The Vietnam War was raging at the time and this was Simon's answer.

This was my introduction to them. At 12, we performed this in a choral arrangement. Still gives me chills.

Scarborough Fair is a traditional english folk. The group heard it and incorporated some of their parts into it.

Thank you AGAIN Paul Simon

I was 14 in 1966, when it became my favorite. To this day I always sing it while adding parsley sage rosemary and thyme to a recipe or grocery list. Always in that order.

My aunt bought me this LP for Christmas when I was 13. This has always been my favorite song by them. There is a live performance of them singing this with Andy Williams.

The dichotomy of Love and war. Based on a traditional folk ballad infused with Simon's ant-war song. A genius arrangement for sure.

You have THE BEST commentary with your reactions! You’re my fav!

Perfect timing! This is such a fantastic song. I just love Simon and Garfunkel so much.

Harri: "Paul Simon, he makes me shiver." Yeah, pure genius can have that effect on people. I eagerly anticipate Harri's reactions to Simon's lesser known -- yet still brilliant -- song catalog

Scarborough fair was an annual event in that seaside town in Yorkshire. The fair was one of the longest, at 44 days, where goods were importedfrom all over Europe, & wool & locally made pottery was exported. The song is a traditional ballad about umpossible love, for none of the tasks can be done. Simon created the canticle to compliment the original song. It's really about death & war, & lost love.

Scarborough Fair is an old English folk song. Paul Simon layered the anti-war song he wrote over it. The entire album blew everyone away. My Dad ADORED the song “ Cloudy” on that one.

The first S & G song I ever heard and since then, a lifelong fan. Thank you, Harri :)

I was a kid when this song was popular in the mid- to late sixties and I had no idea at that time that it was two separate songs with completely different themes. I would hear the lines of the secondary song and assume they were just augmenting the first, since the secondary song had phrases like "a sprinkling of leaves" and "blazing in scarlet battalion," which I took to mean the scarlet of fall foliage since that went well with the pastoral content of the first. It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized it was a recent song by the duo overlaid on a traditional English folk song and that the intended effect was anti-war. You're right; it's genius, and it's so beautiful that it still brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it.

Can you imagine what it was like for my generation of the '60's listening to this under the influence????

Harry, this song exemplifies winter for me, with the snow laying on the buildings and courtyard...SO BEAUTIFUL!

One of the most beautiful duos. Their voices were unbelievably perfect together.

It is such an ethereal sounding song I let it take me along without trying to figure out the lyrics. I'm a melody lover.

This is a blending of a traditional English folksong and a Paul Simon anti-war song. Wikipedia explains it well - here's the link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarborough_Fair_(ballad)

My favorite S&G song. Second place goes to Keep the Customer Satisfied.

Harri...you have to have one if the best laughs ever. You so make me smile. Thank you for this channel and God bless Brittania!

They did the same thing with Silent Night/7 o'clock news.

WOW WOW WOW. That really IS a beautiful song. Thank you for having me listen to it again tonight.

Wow Harry...you a breath of fresh air in this crazy world of ours...THANKS...

Was wondering when someone would finally react to this great Simon & Garfunkel classic

"El Condor Pasa" is another Paul Simon song to check out.

From a historical context, this was released during the Vietnam War. It was poignantly pertinent. Many were praying for the return return of their loved one.

A soldier dying telling his friend to tell his love he always will love her

This was the first song I ever heard of theirs. How could one not love this song? A beautiful old English folk tune so very delicately done.

I've long considered this the most beautiful song in popular music, and it also factored heavily in a favorite & especially memorable dream from my childhood. Happy you've turned attention to it, Harri.

We are in a medieval county fair in Brittania watchin' Chaucer's pilgrims go by...and they are marching to this song. Spiritual.

For about 40 years one of my favourite songs.

Beautiful song from an amazing duo. I do think you should check out Kodachrome Cecilia The Boxer

Dear Harri🌹I don't know if these comments are ever really read, especially after 8 months, BUT, I can't, not, let you know that you have added to my LOVE and appreciation for this song and MY deep love of Simon and Garfunkel in their entirety! THANK YOU ❣️ I'm 65 years old now, but I sang this song in junior high as 2nd soprano. YOU😘 JUST ADDED understanding. I thought I had a deep one already. I wanted you to know I appreciate what you do for me.

Paul Simon was a great songwriter, singer and guitar picker. I loved to hear him play. He and Art Garfunkel were magic together.

Our teachers had us sing this song when I was 8 years old.

Beautiful song by Simon and Garfunkel! This was the first song by Simon and Garfunkel I heard a long time ago when I was only 16yrs old and I still love them,especially this song. The Vietnam War was in full swing at that time. The song is about that War. I believe that the soldier that was asking, Are You Going to Scarborough Fair was dead and wanted someone to tell the woman that he loved in poetic form. Beautiful and very sad. Definitely a Vietnam War song. ❤

Hallo mate - I much enjoy your singular reactions - Music is therapy for the mind and soul. Simon and Garfunkel did represent the bohemian culture community of lower Manhattan NYC during the magical 1960’s. Cheers! Look after yourself, matey

Simon and Garfunkle were such a talented duo. Each song a masterpiece. First heard 59th Street Bridge and Feeling Groovy and of course Sounds of Silence. Hard to believe they had such differences when they are blending in chorus so perfectly. Thanks Harri. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

Scarborough Fair was written by Michael Richards; this is an English folk song about a market fair that took place in the town of Scarborough in Yorkshire during medieval times. Simon & Garfunkel make this a hauntingly beautiful & lovely song.

It was wonderful to listen to your thoughts and reaction. I’ve always found this song incredibly moving and poignant.

He means that the girl who lovess him so much can never have him. A beautiful brush off . A beautiful brush off.

Harri... Sometimes I feel that you struggle to find the words to express how you feel about these incredible songs (Poetry) that have such deep meaning (something that lacks in today's pop lyrics/culture) and feel the same way. I grew up with many of the songs you react to (64yrs old now) and only NOW am I starting to understand what the artist were writing about. I hope you keep up these great reviews as I so totally enjoy them... THANK YOU!

Paul Simon is brilliant. Period.

I agree, totally! I really love S&G, the best duo of all time.

Grew up listening to this. It was written and sang during the Viet Nam War Era. Has so much meaning. So many young men marched off to war leaving their loved ones behind.

Another great reaction thanks. A great song from a superb catalogue of songs by S and G. My personal favourite is "Kathy's Song" which Art Garfunkel described as being Paul Simon's best love song, try it.

The 'Scarborough Fair' song is a traditional English ballad (no. 2 in Child's catalogue) which is often called The Elfin Knight. Paul Simon wrote a brilliant counterpoint to it. Like most British folk songs it probably dates back to the 17th century. The version sung here was collected from the singing of a Durham miner Mark Anderson and collected by Ewan McColl.

This song immediately brings me back to "The Graduate".

The "Love Song" to which you refer is actually requesting she accomplish several impossible tasks. "Tell Her to Make Me a Cambric Shirt Without No Seams Nor Needlework" is an example. A modern masterpiece.

He means that the girl who loves him can never have him, a beautiful cruel chant that breaks her heart.

I live in the northeast usa. We have scarborough, maine. I cry every time I see the roadsign because of this song.

If you want another striking mash up listen to Simon & Garfunkle's "7 O'clock News/Silent Night"

A wonderful, beautiful song. Thanks for reminding me of this gem from my youth.

So many, many memories…. Thank you

This was one of my parents non Herb Alpert records growing up and that second theme never occurred to. Thank you.

This composition is one of the best of all time

Scarborough Fair originally is a folk song from England (there is a town called Scarborough) and was written in the 1600's and of course variations followed

Hi Harri ... This is another 1 of my all-time favorite songs. This was also used in the movie The Graduate with Dustin Hoffman (Ben), Katherine Ross (Elaine) and Anne Bancroft (Mrs. Robinson). The song was perfectly married to that movie and placed at the perfect scene to burn it into my brain. Such a powerful song.

As a teen in the sixties I encountered a lot of music. This is the only song that I used to listen to compulsively, over and over again. It produced a certain mood in me that I could not duplicate anywhere else. The two songs within a song only seem disconnected. Actually, the writer seems to be daring you to connect them.

Harri, As usual your depth of perception and musical insight are spot on with your reaction to Scarborough Fair/Canticle. As an example of S&G harmony, I suggest you give a listen and share your reaction to a song from their first album, Bleecker Street. I think that Bleecker Street captures the organic feeling of Simon's and Garfunkel's beautiful harmonies. Only one guitar, one stand-up bass and two voices transcend more complicated arrangements via a clarity of simplicity. Hope you take the opportunity to listen and share your thoughts with us. Here's a nice clear reproduction: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rbtkZsuXv56WhKc.html

Thank you so much for giving me an opportunity to hear this most especial song ~ Decades may slip by, but music such as this stands the test of time . . .

The whole album is beautiful, one of their best, but remarkably short, the whole thing is left than 1/2 hour long. ( I taped it once!) On the album they only run through the song once, not twice as here. Scarborough Fair is a traditional song which Paul heard when he was touring folk clubs in England. Bob Dylan adapted it for his song Girl from the North country. A rather different take. It's interesting that this dual song track opens the album, as the closing track is Silent Night / 7.00 o'clock news. Where the music is played against an actual news bulletin talking about civil strife and the Vietnam war. It hits you like a brick when you first hear it. It's a great album, any of its tracks are worth listening too, the arrangements are all beautiful.

A timeless classic.

Canticle Style, brilliant! Based on an old song, bringin' in another story in the way, you've described it. Check'em out with 'I Am A Rock'. And maybe, you'll find the time to hear and watch Bee Gees, live and unplugged on 'MTV Most Wanted' from 1993. They sing and play a song called 'Blue Island'. It offers phantastic harmonies as well.

Glad you played the full version. Peace.

Yes, you got it right. It's not two diff subjects. He left her behind as he went to battle. He tells the story of both of their doings during that time. He is singing of either his burial or their hopeful reunion while he is remembering her. At that time the herbs represent strengths. Parsley was comfort, sage was strength, rosemary was love and thyme was courage. Wikipedia states: Scarborough Fair, during the late Middle Ages, the seaside town of Scarborough, in Yorkshire, was an important venue for tradesmen from all over England. It was host to a huge 45-day trading event starting on 15 August, and continuing until the end of September.

One of my favorites! Thanks for letting me hear this again.

Wow Harri, I can’t even know the number of times I’ve heard that song, and until now, having never seen the lyrics before, I didn’t even realize there was another song there. Maybe as a military man I just blocked out the part about war and my mind only wanted to hear the beautiful part. Amazing. Love it. I’ve always got lost in the beautiful old English sound of it.

"Scarborough Fair," popularised in the United States by the 1960s singer-songwriting duo Simon & Garfunkel, is an English folk song that's around 500 years old about a market fair that took place in the town of Scarborough in Yorkshire during medieval times. Like any fair, it attracted traders, entertainers and food vendors, along with other hangers-on. The fair peaked in the late 14th century but continued to operate until the end of the 1700s. Now, several fairs are held in remembrance of the original. The lyrics for "Scarborough Fair" talk about unrequited love. A young man requests impossible tasks from his lover, saying that if she can perform them, he will take her back. In return, she requests impossible things of him, saying she will perform her tasks when he performs his. It's possible that this tune was derived from a Scottish song called "The Elfin Knight" (Child Ballad No. 2), wherein an elf kidnaps a woman and tells her that, unless she can do these impossible things, he will keep her as his lover. The use of the herbs "parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme" in the lyrics has been debated and discussed. It's possible that they were just put there as a placeholder, as people forgot what the original line was. In traditional folk music, songs grew and evolved over time, as they were passed down through the oral tradition. That's the reason there are so many versions of so many old folk songs, and possibly why these herbs have become such a prominent part of the verse. However, herbalists will tell you of the symbolism and functions of herbs in healing and health maintenance. There's also a possibility that these meanings were intended as the song evolved (parsley for comfort or to remove bitterness, sage for strength, thyme for courage, rosemary for love). There's some speculation that these four herbs were used in a tonic of some sort. Paul Simon learned the song in 1965 while visiting British folk singer Martin Carthy in London. Art Garfunkel adapted the arrangement, integrating elements of another song Simon had written called "Canticle," which in turn was adapted from yet another Simon song, "The Side of a Hill." The pair added some anti-war lyrics that reflected the times. Simon & Garfunkel gave Carthy no credit on their recording for the arrangement of a traditional folk song, and Carthy accused Simon of stealing his work. Many years later, Simon settled the issue with Carthy, and in 2000 they performed together in London. 😉👍

16 years old when this hit. Having grown up on Every Brothers they hooked me with delicate stuff like this. Harpsichord added to that 60s mood Donovan, too.

This is a song written during the Viet Nam war period. Simon wrote all the music that they recorded if I am not mistaken, but this is English folk song that has evolved over time...first done in 1965 by Martin Carthy. It has an interesting history on Wikipedia.

Omg !! I’ve loved this song forever but never followed the duel lyrics with out the visual and your comments …

"An Old Fashioned Wedding" from the musical "Annie Get Your Gun" is another example of two songs playing simultaneously. Bernadette Peters & Tom Wopat played Frank Butler and Annie Oakley on Broadway, and it was spectacular. I was so fortunate to have seen that show live on Broadway in the 90's.

What can you say, sheer brilliance and elegance in the most inventive decade of modern music. God bless the 70's.

Classic example of counter-point or multiple melodies playing at the same time. Paul Simon was a master. #classics

Always love listening to your reactions. And I've always loved how the two rivers of this song periodically flow together then part -- over and over.

It’s an old English ballad that challenges a prospective lover to the impossible.

Harri, this is essentially a modernization of Greensleeves, a folk song about unrequited chivalric love from the middle ages, that Paul Simon learned from Martin Carthy while he was in England for the two years trying to be a folksinger (solo without Garfunkel, who was back in NYC going to graduate school in Mathematics). The simultaneous singing of two different lyric stanzas is called polyphony...also something everyone who studied music at primary school would know. This is a wonderful work from S&G but it is not a musical innovation. Maybe for pop music but I'm sure Ewan McColl, the legendary British folksinger who did the original mashup, would've objected to that characterization.

Another very atmospheric song they did is " Old Friends". Means a whole different thing to me at 70 than it did when I was 18.

That was absoutely beautiful! Their harmony was the best! Thanks for the reaction to this Harri! 👍✌💖