Simon & Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" is a hauntingly beautiful and complex folk song that interweaves two distinct lyrical threads. The primary "Scarborough Fair" narrative revolves around themes of lost love, longing, and the setting of impossible tasks as a test of true love or as a way to express the unattainable nature of reuniting with a former lover. The repeated refrain, "Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme," refers to herbs that traditionally held symbolic meanings related to love, remembrance, strength, and courage.

The singer asks a traveler to Scarborough Fair to convey a message to his former love, setting forth a series of impossible tasks for her to complete before she can be his true love again (e.g., "Tell her to make me a cambric shirt / Without no seams nor needlework"). This reflects a common motif in traditional folk ballads.

Woven as a counterpoint throughout the song is Paul Simon's "Canticle," which features lyrics from his earlier anti-war song "The Side of a Hill." This "Canticle" section introduces somber themes of war, death, and the loss of innocence ("On the side of a hill, a sprinkling of leaves / Washed green by the rain / Tracing a line of a soldier slain"). The juxtaposition of the wistful, romantic "Scarborough Fair" with the stark, sorrowful "Canticle" creates a powerful and poignant commentary, perhaps suggesting the intrusion of war and harsh realities into the idyllic world of love and tradition, or the enduring nature of both love and loss in human experience.

"Scarborough Fair/Canticle" is the opening track on Simon & Garfunkel's third studio album, "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme," released on October 10, 1966. The song itself is an arrangement of a traditional English ballad, "Scarborough Fair," which dates back to the medieval period.

Paul Simon learned the traditional melody from English folk singer Martin Carthy in London in 1965. Carthy had arranged the traditional song, and Simon adapted Carthy's arrangement. Simon & Garfunkel's version is distinctive for its intricate vocal harmonies and the interweaving of Simon's original composition "Canticle" (which itself was an adaptation of his earlier song "The Side of a Hill," with lyrics reflecting anti-war sentiments prevalent during the Vietnam War era). Art Garfunkel arranged the counter-melody for "Canticle."

The Scarborough Fair was a real, bustling annual trading event in the coastal town of Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, from the 13th to the 18th century. The traditional ballad often involved a jilted lover setting impossible tasks for their former partner to prove their love. Simon & Garfunkel's version brought this ancient song to a massive new audience, blending its timeless folk qualities with contemporary concerns. The song was also famously featured on the soundtrack of the 1967 film "The Graduate," which significantly contributed to its popularity and the duo's international breakthrough.

While "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" was initially released on the 1966 album "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme," it gained wider recognition and chart success after its inclusion in the hit 1967 film "The Graduate." It was subsequently released as a single in 1968.

In the United States, the single release of "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme" itself was a significant success, reaching #4 on the Billboard 200. The song became one of Simon & Garfunkel's most famous and beloved tracks, known for its beautiful harmonies and haunting melody.

The cultural impact of "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" has been immense. It helped to popularize traditional folk music with a contemporary audience and showcased Simon & Garfunkel's unique ability to blend intricate vocal arrangements with poetic lyrics. The song's evocative atmosphere and timeless themes have ensured its enduring legacy, and it remains a staple of folk and classic rock radio, frequently covered by other artists.

"Scarborough Fair/Canticle" is renowned for its exquisite folk arrangement, intricate vocal harmonies, and the seamless interweaving of two distinct melodies and lyrical themes. The primary melody of "Scarborough Fair" is a traditional English air in a Dorian mode, giving it a melancholic and ancient quality.

The instrumentation is delicate and atmospheric, primarily featuring Paul Simon's fingerpicked acoustic guitar and Art Garfunkel's soaring, pure tenor vocals. Subtle accompaniment includes harpsichord, bells (or chimes), and a gentle bass, creating a soundscape that is both ethereal and grounded. The genius of the arrangement lies in the counterpoint created by Garfunkel singing the "Canticle" lyrics (from Simon's "The Side of a Hill") simultaneously with Simon singing the traditional "Scarborough Fair" verses. These two distinct melodies and sets of lyrics weave in and out of each other, creating a rich, layered texture.

The production by Bob Johnston is clean and emphasizes the clarity of the vocals and the acoustic instruments. The harmonies between Simon and Garfunkel are precise and beautiful, a hallmark of their sound. The overall effect is one of haunting beauty, with the wistful romance of "Scarborough Fair" given a more somber and contemporary resonance by the anti-war sentiments of the "Canticle." The combination creates a piece that is both timeless and deeply reflective of its era.

While official promotional music videos were not standard for every song in 1966, "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" gained immense visual association through its inclusion in the 1967 film "The Graduate." Live performances from the era also capture the duo's intimate and powerful delivery.

The song's haunting beauty is often best experienced through their live renditions, where the intricate vocal harmonies and delicate instrumentation can be fully appreciated. Many such performances are available, showcasing the timeless quality of the song.

Watch a classic live performance here:

The lyrics of "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" are a masterful blend of a traditional English ballad and Paul Simon's original anti-war poetry. The "Scarborough Fair" portion tells of a man asking a traveler to the fair to convey a message to his former true love, setting her a series of impossible tasks to prove her love and worthiness.

The refrain "Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme" is repeated throughout, with these herbs traditionally symbolizing virtues like comfort, strength, love, and courage, respectively—qualities perhaps needed to endure lost love or the challenges set forth. The tasks include making a cambric shirt without seams or needlework, finding an acre of land between the saltwater and the sea strand, and reaping it with a sickle of leather.

Woven into this ancient tale of longing and impossible demands are the stark, poignant lines of Simon's "Canticle": "On the side of a hill, a sprinkling of leaves / Washed green by the rain / Tracing a line of a soldier slain." This counter-melody laments the futility and sorrow of war, contrasting sharply with the romantic, almost mythical setting of Scarborough Fair. The juxtaposition creates a profound emotional resonance, suggesting that even in times of personal longing, the larger tragedies of the world intrude, or perhaps that both love and war are enduring parts of the human experience.

Explore the full lyrics here: