Scarborough Fair

[Henning 4148]

So far, we have found that this is an old song which Simon and Garfunkel combined with some canticled in anti war lyrics. Does anybody know deeper meanings of the symbolism in this song (especially in the original lyrics), for example cambric being a fabric used for wound dressing. Or is it all just coincidence?

My wife needs to know! Urgent!

Corrected for spelling

[ 01-25-2006, 04:51 PM: Message edited by: Henning 4148 ]

[Katherine]

Sorry, always makes me think of saled.

[Paul Pless]

its garfunkel btw

[Meerkat]

Herbs and flowers had symbolic meaning in old times. What those were will take some research.

[Graham Knight]

Is THIS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarborough_Fair) any help?

[Bruce Hooke]

Have you seen this web page (http://us.geocities.com/berchje/index.html) ? Among other things it has information on the significance of the herbs.

It does not say anything about cambric, but I believe cambric was used for clothing and many other purposes. About cambric (http://www.fabrics.net/joan201.asp)

Warning the first web page I posted a link to contains a somewhat obnoxious popup that Firefox was not able to block fully.

[Stiletto]

Interestingly perhaps, the google toolbar blocked it.

[JimD]

What's with all the freakin' parsley, sage, rosemary and tyme?

Edited to add:

Oh, now I get it...


The refrain of "parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme", though obscure to modern listeners, is full of symbolism. Parsley, used to this day as a digestive aid, was said to take away the bitterness, and medieval doctors took this in a spiritual sense as well. Sage has been known to symbolize strength for thousands of years. Rosemary represents faithfulness, love and remembrance, and the custom of a bride wearing twigs of rosemary in her hair is still practiced in England and several other European countries today. Thyme symbolizes courage, and at the time this song was written, knights would often wear images of thyme on their shields when they went to combat. The speaker in the song, by mentioning these four herbs, wishes his true love mildness to soothe the bitterness which is between them, strength to stand firm in the time of their being apart from each other, faithfulness to stay with him during this period of loneliness and paradoxically courage to fulfill her impossible tasks and to come back to him by the time she can.

[ 01-25-2006, 08:24 PM: Message edited by: JimD ]

[Meerkat]

His goose is cooked: stuffing! :D

[Meerkat]

Jim; Perhaps you're not aware that "he" is going to Scarborough Fair to be hung?

edited to add: at least that was something I heard once.

[ 01-25-2006, 08:28 PM: Message edited by: Meerkat ]

[Meerkat]

1. Can you make me a cambric shirt,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Without any seam or needlework?
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

Can you wash it in yonder well,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Which never sprung water, nor rain ever fell?
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

Can you dry it on yonder thorn,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Which never bore blossom since Adam was born?
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

Now you have asked me questions three,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
I hope you'll answer as many for me,
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

Can you find me an acre of land,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Between the salt water and the sea-sand?
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

Can you plough it with a ram's horn,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And sow it all over with one peppercorn?
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

Can you reap it with a sickle of leather,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And bind it up with a peacock's feather?
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

When you have done and finished your work,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Then come to me for your cambric shirt,
And you shall be a true lover of mine.

1. 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 a seam or fine needle work
And then she'll be a true love of mine.

Have her wash it in yonder dry well
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Where ne'er a drop of water e'er 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 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.

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 hast 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.