Scarborough is a small town on the coast of England. The "Scarborough Fair" was a popular gathering in Medieval times, attracting traders and entertainers from all over the country. The fair lasted 45 days and started every August 15th. In the 1600s, mineral waters were found in Scarborough and it became a resort town. Today, Scarborough is a quiet town with a rich history. (thanks, Sheryl - Seal Rock, OR) In Medieval England, this became a popular folk song as Bards would sing it when they traveled from town to town. The author of the song is unknown, and many different versions exist. The traditional version has many more lyrics. Paul Simon learned about this song when he was on tour in England, where he heard a version by a popular folk singer named Martin Carthy. When Carthy heard Simon & Garfunkel's rendition, he accused Simon of stealing his arrangement. Carthy and Simon did not speak until 2000, when Simon asked Carthy to perform this with him at a show in London. Carthy put his differences aside and did the show. Martin Carthy learned the song from a Ewan MacColl songbook, and had recorded it on his first album, according to BBC's Patrick Hamphries. Paul Simon admitted to the July 2011 edition of Mojo magazine: "The version I was playing was definitely what I could remember of Martin's version, but he didn't teach it to me. Really, it was just naivety on my part that we didn't credit it as his arrangement of a traditional tune. I didn't know you had to do that. Then later on, Martin's publisher contacted me and we made a pretty substantial monetary settlement that he was supposed to split with Martin, But unbeknown to me, Martin got nothing." The lyrics are about a man trying to attain his true love. In Medieval times, the herbs mentioned in the song represented virtues that were important to the lyrics. Parsley was comfort, sage was strength, rosemary was love, and thyme was courage. This was not released as a single until 1968, when it was used in the Dustin Hoffman movie The Graduate. It is on the soundtrack. Before Simon & Garfunkel got to it, Bob Dylan used the lines, "Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine" in his 1963 song "Girl From The North Country." "Scarborough Fair" and "Canticle" are 2 songs that are sung simultaneously to create this piece. The first and last verses are "Scarborough Fair," but lines from "Canticle" alternate after the first line of the other verses, so "On the side of a hill in a deep forest green" and "Tracing of sparrow on snow-crested ground" are from "Canticle." This song is often listed as "Scarborough Fair/Canticle." On The Paul Simon Songbook, a little known 1965 UK album of Simon-solo demos, there is a song called "The Side Of a Hill." "The Side Of a Hill" was reworked into the Canticle part of "Scarborough Fair." (thanks, Jesse - Roanoke, VA) With its implicit anti-Vietnam War message, this was used in The Wonder Years TV series in a scene where Kevin Arnold embraces Winnie Cooper while the song was played at the end of the episode. In the show, Winnie's brother had been killed in Vietnam. (thanks, Marciliano - Fortaleza, Brazil)

I heard a Music Teacher once state that Paul Simon is considered to be one of the greatest poets of the 20th Century. This was in the early 70s. And as time ticked by, the more I listened to Simon and Garfunkel sing their songs, I have to say that I agree. Their songs never get old, even though I have.

As a kid in the '60's and '70's my parents were into folk music like that, so I grew up appreciating it. I still love this song 50+ years later.

There has never a duo that could harmonise as well as these two. Such a clean sound. So beautiful. Thank you for these songs.

At almost 70, this song takes me back to my youth. My siblings and I, like so many loved this song. I wanted the shirt they sang about, and my grandmother taught me to embroider. At the time I wore light blue, long-sleeved work shirts to do construction work with my twin brother and father for dad's construction company. But, unlike the song, I wanted needle work on my shirts, so I embroidered brightly colored flowers, twisting green vines, dark leaves around my cuffs, up my sleeves, along the collar, and down the front pleat around the button holes. Colorful shirts in deep reds, golds, greens. It made my uncle smile at me on the job for his work shirts were all grey. How I wish now that I'd have offered to embroider his shirts. I wonder if he'd have taken me up on it. The girl I once loved, I still love. Married 50 years to her now. Praise God for such a blessing.

parsley for comfort or to remove bitterness, sage for strength, thyme for courage, rosemary for love

My mother shared this special song with me as a child. When she passed, I had said my loving goodbyes. Two friends went to the viewing on my behalf. They described how she rested, dressed in white, with carefully placed flowers and herbs that formed an aura shaped wreath around her. I could visualise the peace on her face and her body relaxed. It was then this song came to me along with the vision… It gave me strength, and with love so deep, my heart bid her farewell, on her journey to Scarborough Fair 🤍🕊️🌿🕊️🌿🕊️🌿🕊️🌿🕊️

One of the most beautiful songs ever!

I live in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, this must be the most famous thing about our town.

The overlap of the voices enhances this song so much.

It's 2024.... I'm still listening this song... And still love it... Remembering me to someone.... Once in a lifetime...❤❤❤

This song is so astoundingly gorgeous that I heard a snippet of it and immediately went to search for the full version. The way the voices harmonize, even as they're singing two completely different lines is incredible. This is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever had the pleasure to grace my ears with.

Call me old fashioned, but there's a beauty within this song that is very magical...I can't even explain this. How anyone could hear this song and say that it is not beautiful is beyond me...

This is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. After 50+ years it still brings tears.

It’s 2023 and I’m still here listening to this soul massaging sound ❤

Truly one of the best songs ever written. 2 songs woven together seamlessly haunting harmony. Hard to forget lyrics.

There's not many songs that are truly timeless like this one is.

For those confused about the lyrics, the things the singer asks for in Scarborough Fair are all impossible. A shirt with no seams. An acre of land between the sea and the beach (seastrand). To harvest grain with a leather blade (leather isn't very sharp), and bundle the stalks with heather (a fragile twig-like flower; doesn't make for very good rope or string). The singer says his ex-lover will be his true love again once she does these things (never).

I first head Scarborough Fair in 1972 as a 15yo and was fascinated by the words. I remember a school fair in Inverloch, Victoria when I was very young. It was just on dusk and a cool wind was blowing, the ideal setting for a great song like Scarborough Fair.

Remember this song from when I was sixteen and on holiday in Yarmouth with my friend Ingrid, walking along the beach. I'm 71 next month. Brings back lovely memories❤❤❤❤

I have a vivid memory of hearing this as a small child in the early 1970s, and I found it really haunting, and still do. I can now appreciate the beauty of the song, but there is something about the melody and chord structure that I found (indeed still find) unsettling. I think the song conjured up my first ever feeling of melancholy, and that was what disturbed me so much back then.

One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Timeless

The harmonies of Simon and Garfunkel in this recording are simply superb, and the song itself was utterly unlike any other popular song of at the time. The melody itself is an old English ballad, and the lyrics can be traced back to the 1600s. As originally written, the lyrics described a series of impossible tasks a young maiden had to perform to avoid being kidnapped by an evil elf. S&G reworked the melody, added the canticle, and inserted the anti-war lyrics from another Simon song. Because of the overlapping lyrics, many people at the time didn't even know it was an anti-war song. There are numerous variations of this song, using other lyrics, including the original lyrics. None have duplicated the wistful beauty of this version.

Cant believe that it has been hundreds of years and there are still versions of this song that exists and get listened to. Truly fascinating.

It's funny how you can "listen" to a song in your youth but you don't actually "hear" it until 50 years later!

I was a late born kid. My dad would play Simon and Garfunkel songs and sing them to me during play time. I loved listening to this song as a lullaby. My dad died few years ago and I listen to their songs in his memory...

This takes me back to the 60s miss all those wonderful people from that time

Over 40 years and it still touches me in a special way.

This is one song that transports you to another realm in time, a true musical Renaissance, in other words. Love the laid back 60s era sound infused with a medieval note of the harpsichord. One word sums this beautiful song up...Mythical.

The musical complexity of this song is truly beautiful

I remember where I was the first time I heard this song. I was in a car with my best friend and her father was driving us somewhere. This song came on the radio and I was STUNNED at how beautiful it was. I sat with my mouth opened, mesmerized.

They didn't get along, but they were great together long enough and gave us music with poetry as nobody else has done. My favorite!

This song is like a massage for the ears.

Paul Simon is friggin genius. Singing two different songs simultaneously and making it work is mind blowing. Nobody has ever arranged a song like this before. I'm into metal music but you can easily recognized the work of art in this song.

I'm now 65 years old, playing in a band, on Austin Texas dirty ol 6th street. We play some blues and classic rock tunes from the 90s. A little bit of metal and some other alternative rock. But my soul, my spirit, drifted back, way back, one morning I awake, and this song by Simon and Garfunkel spoke to me from the past. I was a young man then, growing up on a military base in Japan. Meanwhile, in America, assassinations, Civil rights, and Vietnam. And this song, being played on the one English speaking radio station in Japan, and I remember, a time so long ago, when all seemed warm, and living. at least it was, in Japan...

I first heard this song in the autumn of 2020, watching the Graduate for my sophomore film studies class. It held me there for a moment. Haunting me with richly woven harmonies. There is a timeless beauty to this one.

This is the reason Hymns are very powerful and have been sung for hundreds of years. The harmonizing, the beautiful playing. Powerful and haunting. Music was and still very much is an ecstatic joy.

I remember my older sister doing a recital on point to this song. It was 1987, I was 10 years and it is one of my most cherished memories of her. Even before her passing 3 years ago I knew it would always be very special to me. I took dance too of course and was supposed to be getting ready for my tap dance to Elvis Presley’s ‘Jail House Rock’ but no way was I missing her 1st recital on point. I snuck onto the backstage and watched every second of her dance. I was totally entranced. She looked so regal and grown up to me at her 13 years of age. I still to this day remember her white costume dress and the scratchy tulle underneath it, the color of all the the ribbons and how beautiful and graceful she was up there. I’ll never forget Scarborough Fair sweet sister and you looking like a princess on that stage. 🥇👭💕💜💕👭🥇

This song has such a timeless quality to it - like it could have been written centuries ago, and it will last for centuries more

I'm so glad I grew up with beautiful lyrics and music. My parents were young and musicians, so we always had the radio on. 60s and 70s kids heard great music.

This song is deep, creepy, intense, calming, smooth, soft, and very very though provoking

So I found out today that my mom has inoperable cancer and is only diagnosed to have about 6 months to live, and has named me power of attorney for her living will. So I'm listening to this song that I've always loved. The song has nothing to do with what's going on right now in my family, but it still feels right. Mom took a really unexpected bad turn and died six weeks after being told she'd have 6 months. Thank you all for your kind words since I first posted this. David, June 6, 2021.

好歌 百聽不厭， 歷久彌新，每次聽到都會勾起塵封的回憶！

I remember watching the Graduate as a youngster (decades ago) and being struck hard by Benjamin's desolation and loneliness as he follows Elaine around after his affair comes to light. So much of the power from that scene is delivered by this mournful, beautiful ballad.

This gives me nostalgia for a time I'm not even sure existed.

i love this "mystic medieval sound", beautiful

Ohhh what emotional song! I am African, and in my country there is drama played on radio early in 1980, the piece of this song was used in backing of the drama, I tried to find the name of the song many times but in vain ! Finally I used SHAZAM to identify the song, now I am playing it without cease.

First time listening to this song was 40 years ago, on a cheap cassette player, me a 2nd-year uni student in a strange city in China, studying a subject that did not interest me, being totally lost and dreadfully homesick. 40 years on, 3 continents apart and God only knows how many ups and downs after, here I am listening to it again. Words cannot describe it.

parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme- herbs in remembrance for the deceased. it is a song of sorrow from the devastation of wars in general.

this song has a certain aesthetic that i can't put my finger on, it's like whimsical and foreign

Makes me wish I had been around in the 1960s. So much beautiful music of all kinds.

There really isn't another musical, singer/ songwriter duo that could have made this song, it's lyrics and melody the timeless classic that it's become. This was playing in the background of my wonder years and it still resonates with me today. ✌️✨🙂

In the sixties when this was released, we would visit my auntie who lived in the suburb of Scarborough in Perth WA, Australia. There was a little fair there with bumper cars and slot machines and other things, and it was located down by the seaside. Whenever I hear this song I tranquil back in time to a misty fair by the seaside, when simple things were valued, and so much lay ahead. I can still see that fair even now, and the mystery of life is still fascinating to me 50 years later. Take care.

Such a difficult cadence to sing. A mesmerizing song to be listened with headphones in a dark room. Beautiful in its execution.

Absolute classic .... the harmony of those two voices is outstanding no one makes music of this standard anymore .......

It's 2024; and I'm almost shedding tears anew; despite being familiar with this Classic for almost 50 years! ❤❤❤❤

This song was not written in 1966, but the mid 1600's and likely to earlier versions dating back to midieval times. It certainly connects one over the centuries to an earlier time. You can feel it in your soul. Amazingly beautiful haunting rendition by Simon and Garfunkel.

I grew up as a child adopted by my grandparents, and they played the greatest hits album all the time. To have this music as a part of my childhood is a blessing.

This song is always haunted and enchanted me, it is so relaxing and I just love it I just believe it's timeless and I appreciate all the instruments and the musicians and thank you very much for sharing it

One of my fav songs. Cant get enough of it even i repeatedly listen to this legendary masterpiece. S and G voices are soothing and did justice to the song.

So beautiful. Still brings tears to my eyes, even after all these years.

So many artists have tried to replicate the dual going on here, and got nowhere near. It is a masterpiece.

I was high school in 1971 when this song was popularized and hit the billboard. Memories lingers on.

This song still gives me chills. The most beautiful and creative anti-war ballad ever written.

My parents used to play this for me when I was a young child. I still play it often. A very timeless, mystical, and amazing song. Thanks!

I literally have zero reasons but this song still takes me back to a time n space I can not understand or explain. Real tearjerker. Crazy.

Never get bored hearing this undescribed beautiful song.

It makes me so happy to see my children who are in their twenties love the same music that I loved in my teens 2020 !

I love it. Brings back such memories of "The Graduate" to this old hippie. IN 2021. ROCK ON!

Since 80's and the present I love folk songs like Simon and Garfunkel.

Am I the first one in 2024, watching this beautiful song of Simon and Garfunkel? Happy New Year 2024 to all fans from Germany. And don't miss the film "The Graduate". - one of the most beautiful films ever -

Mortal words were never meant to describe this song. It's too beautiful.

The way they harmonize while singing 2 different songs just blows my mind. Chilling, but comforting at the same time. Got to be the most beautiful song of our time.

I was doing some grocery shopping today and needed to pick up some fresh thyme for a dish I'm making. And then this earbug popped into my head and I started singing this song in the store! I had to hurry home and listen to it. Now I'm ready for the next earbug. Thanks for sharing the long version of this song.

This is so perfect - the harmony’s and the incredible instrumentation.

This is the most beautiful arrangement I ever heard of this song.

In my over sixty years of listing to music this is one of the songs I could not think of how I could improve. I first heard this song at sixteen and am still stunned every time I hear it.

I saw "The Graduate" when I was 8 years old. That's when I discovered this great duo & song. They played the entire song when Benjamin was looking for the love of his life who wanted nothing to do with him. "She once WAS a true love of mine" Perfect!!!

One nice lady from Amstelveen NL, wise enough to have been part of the hippy era back then, mentioned this song to me. magic lady, magic song. All the best to all of you!

Absolutely narcotic. A best version of this old song. Reflecting all the melancholic climate of the lyrics. I do not know a better version. Takes talent, mastership and great knowledge of the epoque to make an arrangement of this sort. Hats off!

Has to be one of the best songs ever written. S&G are probably one of the best duets in history. Their clever use of overlaying two thoughts concurrently with superb poetic rhyme with meaning, demonstrates the cleverness and intelligence of these two great artist.

If you’re watching in 2024 you’re a legend

I was 15 (1966) and my girlfriend had this album. There is nothing like this today. There was so much then not all progress is good.

For some unknown reason whenever I hear this song it reduces me to tears. It never fails to reach deep down to some emotion that's buried inside me and then releases so much melancholy & sorrow. A very powerful piece excellently arranged & performed. Wonderful.

This is what pure magic sounds like

"Scarborough" is an exquisite musical masterpiece that effortlessly weaves together a tapestry of emotions, transporting listeners to the idyllic coastal town of Scarborough. With its mesmerizing melody and poignant lyrics, the song paints a vivid picture of this enchanting destination, capturing the essence of its timeless beauty and captivating charm. From the very first notes, "Scarborough" evokes a sense of nostalgia, as if stepping into a cherished memory. The gentle strumming of the guitar and the ethereal vocals create a soothing and serene atmosphere, inviting listeners to embark on a journey of introspection and reflection. As the song unfolds, it unveils a captivating narrative that intertwines the town's rich history with the experiences and emotions of its inhabitants. Each verse is a poetic vignette, painting a vivid picture of Scarborough's sandy shores, majestic cliffs, and bustling streets. The lyrics breathe life into the town, capturing the vibrant spirit of its community and the timeless allure that has drawn visitors from near and far. Through its heartfelt lyrics, "Scarborough" explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. It delves into the intricacies of human relationships, the bittersweet memories that linger in our hearts, and the longing for a place that holds a special significance in our lives. It is a song that resonates deeply with listeners, evoking a range of emotions and stirring the soul. The beauty of "Scarborough" lies not only in its melodic composition and poetic lyrics but also in its ability to transport listeners to a place of tranquility and introspection. It is a song that invites us to pause, to embrace the beauty of the present moment, and to appreciate the profound connections we have with the places we call home. In conclusion, "Scarborough" is a musical masterpiece that captures the essence of the coastal town with its enchanting melody, heartfelt lyrics, and evocative storytelling. It is a song that transports listeners to a place of beauty, nostalgia, and introspection, leaving an indelible mark on their hearts and minds.❤

Every time I listen to it, it gives me goose bumps- it's soooo atmospheric- love it for ever and ever!!!

This song is as beautiful as Scarborough itself. I am here now on holiday and I am in love with this place.

The guitar playing in this song is INSANE!!! Yes i realize more than one person is playing, but seriously: Paul Simon was pure GENIUS on the acoustic guitar, both arranging/composing and performing: vastly underrated part of his wonderful artistry.

If you're listening to this song 🎵 in 2023, your a legend 👏. This song brings back a lot of memories since the 70's. I'm 65 now and still listen to Simon and Garfunkel beautiful 😍 music 🎶 🎵. They were great together singing their legendary songs.

So beautiful !! Simon& Garfunkel belong to all mankind's heritage.

Love this version of Parsley Rosemary and Thyme. Beautiful. These two surely knew how to work harmony. Brilliant. UK.

A beautiful, perfect song to listen to when I need uplifting and strength. It provides a sort of safety net when things go wrong. It is life-sustaining and has brought me comfort very recently as well as in more distant memories.

The first notes play and I feel peace wash over me. I will always love this song.

This song was hundreds of years old. Some people here said that they have heard this 50+ years ago during their childhood time. I just heard this today, 26 January 2024. Personally, what more interesting is that I am not a fan of any English or western songs, and I need to force myself to hear a song many times over several weeks before I can even begin to like it, but this song caught my heart the first time I heard it. No wonder people described this song as timeless.

I just discovered this song today and accomplished three things: 1. Learned how to play it on guitar 2. Bought the 7" single 3. Got it stuck to my brain

I was cleaning out my grandmothers drawers. Shes getting older and can't live on her own. I found a collection of old cassettes in her drawer. Her new car doesn't have a cassette player, but my older truck does, so I've been going through some of them and found this song. For some reason I felt so nostalgic when I heard this, like I heard it a long time ago. But this song hasn't ever been played much since I've been alive...

These lyrics are just exquisite as are the harmonies . The perfect song !

My music teacher offered me to play this song for a concert this week.... My only answer was YES! I'm 13 years old and this song is one of my favorite (and I usually listen to Billy Talent or Avril Lavigne), so I'm very happy about it

It is a beautiful song. When I cook, I always refer to the mixture of herbs as Scarborough Fair when I add them. Such as my home made chicken soup. I add Scarborough Fair to it.