Andy Williams & Simon and Garfunkel - Scarborough Fair/Canticle

Published 2012-10-03
The history of the song.

In the middle ages, people didn't usually take credit for songs or other works of art they made, so the writer of Scarborough Fair is unknown. The song was sung by bards (or shapers, as they were known in medieval England) who went from town to town, and as they heard the song and took it with them to another town, the lyrics and arrangements changed. This is why today there are many versions of Scarborough Fair, and there are dozens of ways in which the words have been written down.

The lyrics.

The following lyrics comprise most of the more well-known verses as they are commonly sung. A small handful of them were sung by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel on their 1966 album 'Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,' which popularised the song. Paul Simon learned the song from Martin Carthy, a famous folk singer in the UK, while he was on tour there. Despite using his arrangement of the song, Simon didn´t even mention Carthy´s name in the credits of the album.

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
For once she was a true love of mine

Have her make me a cambric shirt
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Without no seam nor fine needle work
And then she'll be a true love of mine

Tell her to weave it in a sycamore wood lane
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
And gather it all with a basket of flowers
And then she'll be a true love of mine

Have her wash it in yonder dry well
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
where water ne'er sprung nor drop of rain fell
And then she'll be a true love of mine

Have her find me an acre of land
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Between the sea foam and over the sand
And then she'll be a true love of mine

Plow the land with the horn of a lamb
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Then sow some seeds from north of the dam
And then she'll be a true love of mine

Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
And gather it all in a bunch of heather
And then she'll be a true love of mine

If she tells me she can't, I'll reply
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Let me know that at least she will try
And then she'll be a true love of mine

Love imposes impossible tasks
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Though not more than any heart asks
And I must know she's a true love of mine

Dear, when thou has finished thy task
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Come to me, my hand for to ask
For thou then art a true love of mine

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All Comments (21)
  • @malbourne805
    I'm 49 years old and I'm crying like a baby. I grew up listening to this beauty, but with Andy Williams' voice added, it's...I have no words
  • @MoonsKitchenKL
    Beautiful music. Somehow makes me feel im in a medieval shop buying potions and spells
  • @stevegant7286
    As awesome as Simon and Garfunkel are, Andy Williams brings a whole new level of heavenly beauty to this song!
  • @michaelgadsby
    1:25... Andy's voice sounds like a cello. Utterly beautiful
  • @user-xt6lb8bv6j
    The voice of Andy Williams brings an inexpressible charm to this song. Miraculous.
  • The very simple staging, on chairs. One guitar. The brilliant director - camera shots, dissolves. The lighting. This was perfect.
  • (RIP) TO THE LEGENDARY LATE ANDY WILLIAMS, A VERY UNDERRATED SINGER IN MY OPINION, THIS WAS ONE OF HIS MORE LEGENDARY TV PERFORMANCES W/SIMON & GARFUNKEL. A REAL TV MUSICAL MASTERPIECE INDEED.
  • @massonh7476
    Scarborough fair is by far the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard. And this is the best version of it ever recorded with 2 different songs blended together by 3 voices.
  • One on my favorite collaborations ever. The harmony is perfection.❤
  • Stunning stunning stunning Andy Williams wow what a beautiful voice god bless you all
  • @RobbEverett
    All Andy didnwas make this even more perfect.
  • @locker1325
    They should have immediately re-released this as a single. Would've topped the charts
  • @scottlewis417
    This song has always been the greatest popular song ever recorded. So naturally it could not be improved upon. But it has been! Simon and Williams and Garfunkel. What a beautiful rendition. Damn.
  • @jasonfang6912
    I can honestly say that this is my all-time favorite song in this life. No matter who sings it, it's still my favorite.
  • @singluna888
    I saw this live. I love Andy's voice. Made it even more beautiful!
  • @snakehands
    Just something special about Art Garfunkel's voice - makes me smile.
  • @5050RS
    Amazing video with perfect harmony. Andy Williams actually makes this song better. Art Garfunkel and Andy Williams complement each other perfectly. I remember watching the Andy Williams show as a young kid but somehow missed this amazing performance. Thanks for posting.