Scarborough Fair - Colm R. McGuinness 

For those who do not know why the herbs are listed, the meaning behind them is this: -Parsley represents loss or death: usually a loved one or someone famous is honored with parsley, -Sage represents healing: it's an herb often used in tonics and salves, so physical healing, but also burned to represent spiritual healing and cleansing, -Rosemary represents remembrance: again for someone dead or long gone, usually it's a token of affectionate farewell, -Thyme represents strength or courage: used in garlands to ward evil and encourage bravery in the face of despair, -Heather represents luck or safety: it is believed that white heather flowers only bloom where fairies have been too so it has magical connotations. This is believed to help wishes come true. I wish the language of plants and flowers was still more commonplace, it's really lovely to use in art this way. Even for a sad song like this.

Just seeing the title "Scarborough Fair" next to the name of one of my absolute favourite singers, composers, and multi-instrumentalists has totally made my day 🙂

When Colm belts "PARSLEY! SAGE! ROSEMARY! AND THYME!" @2:26... I'm bringing that kind of energy to my grocery store shopping.

Nobody does it better than this guy and I'll tell you why...Colm, I hope you're reading this. Most people get excited about their British (Scottish, Welsh, Irish, whatever) roots but it goes way beyond that. I'm an old-old Brit and still largely Scandinavian. Colm is the only person I know to capture that popular Celtic tune with mastering the Old Norse feel for that dark, Viking undertone. That, Sir, is incredibly special 👏 👏 👏

Lyrics: Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme Remember me to one who lives there She once was a true love of mine Tell her to make me a cambric shirt (On the side of a hill in the deep forest green) Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme (Tracing a sparrow on snow-crested ground) Without no seams nor needle work (Blankets and bedclothes the child of the mountain) Then she'll be a true love of mine (Sleeps unaware of the clarion call) Tell her to find me an acre of land (On the side of a hill a sprinkling of leaves) Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme (Washes the grave with silvery tears) Between the salt water and the sea strands (A soldier cleans and polishes a gun) Then she'll be a true love of mine Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather (War bellows blazing in scarlet battalions) Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme (Generals order their soldiers to kill) And gather it all in a bunch of heather (And to fight for a cause they've long ago forgotten) Then she'll be a true love of mine Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme Remember me to one who lives there She once was a true love of mine

I don't need to hear a song to know Colm will do it very well, but neither does anyone else!

Colm: Voice goes super deep. Me, a 4'10" woman: Why can't I do that? I want to do that!

since you and Rachel Hardy have both covered this song now, that means you should totally collab on a duet of it! she can sing the haunting background vocals, you can sing the bittersweet main melody... we'd all be crying... it'd be great 😅

Friendly warning: If you're currently braving through a harsh winter and trying to fight off chills, listening to this song would be counterproductive

Scarborough Fair performed by S&G: "I am one of the greatest pieces to ever be performed!" Colm: "Hold my McGuinness."

Would love to hear a version of Loch Lomond.

Alright, NOW it's on Spotify! open.spotify.com/album/5u1M6bbQLqzQGD3nbmYcUu?si=UqL5Q748RGCDgef241SUEA Comment what you think I should do next! GO GO GO!

This is how it probably sounded 500 years ago when it was first sung...

It was not until today that I really *felt* the anger, as well as the bitter-sweetness, that this song has the potential for. Turns out, I needed it today. Colm, thank you for creating a beautiful, powerful outlet.

This has officially become the definitive version of this song in my brain. The evolution from a cold and almost bitter style into heated anger at 2:16 absolutely floors me every time.

I've been listening to this on repeat for the past 3 days and nights. Colm you have captured my heart

I just had a baby and sing this song to him all the time! Can’t wait to hear it!!!

Your arrangement gives me the thousand yard stare. Looking far away without seeing. Reliving the past. Remembering the time when love once dwelled in my heart. Grieving yet cold. Restless yet resigned.

I absolutely love this song. Have ever since I first heard the S&G version of it on the radio in my youth. Later I researched its origins a bit and was absolutely stunned by how old and well travelled this song really is. More than 400 years and all the way from Mongolia to Britain. From a story about a killed Geisha's paramour mourning her passing and wanting to kill the murderer, over a song for lost loved ones in war times, to a song about impossible challenges uttered/given to avoid an unwanted marriage in a clever way. In all that the song always kept its sadness/grief as well as its anger. Even four centuries later the spirit of this song is still going strong. I love it.

Seriously, where did this guy come from?!?! He appears to have just popped up a year ago and starts remaking all of my favorite folk songs better than any versions I have ever heard. You've got a subscriber for good, Colm.

Oh god, the feels!!! Did not see this one coming. My mother passed a few months ago, and she used to sing this song for me all the time, when I was a child. What I wouldn't give to hear her sing it one more time. A truly wonderful rendition!

When it first started I didn’t warm to it. By the end I was crying. Transported to a different world, time, culture and yet so familiar. Colm is a consummate artist.

Woke up the other day, in the wee hours of the morning and this song was playing in my head. I was basically singing it in my dreams.

I've heard plenty versions of this song that capture the sadness of a love that just fell apart and to mourn a country left destitute. But this is the only one that captures that bitter, age-cold anger. It sings like that *threat*, and how that changes everything I ever thought I knew about this theme.

Always a great day when Colm drops a new song!

Years ago, I was a young teenager in middle school, in France. Our teacher came from Great Britain, and to make us learn typical British songs. I've known this music for years. You brought me back to another time of my life.

The pitch, the tone, the range, the power. Everything about this is just sensational.

So, I've known this song from childhood, and never gave much thought to the meaning of the lyrics. To your credit Colm, I'd just like to say this is the first time I can say I've really 'heard' the song and understood it. It's not a gleeful prose of the spring, but a dirge of pain and longing. Thank you very much for sharing this.

The sounds the drums the vocals so powerful and beautiful 💜💜☺️☺️☺️

I was just thinking the other day Colm should cover this song! It's one of my very favorites, thanks man!

Genuinely moving. It never occurred to me how well throat singing would fit this song.

This song is wonderfully amazing! It came out in 1966 the year I was born! This fantastic version sounds like it could have been done in 1566! This is a TRUE Celtic classic! An iconic musical creation!

I love that you chose the Simon & Garfunkel version! It's so powerful.

It's incredible to hear how beautifully your styles, voice, and instrumental repertoire have evolved over these past few years. I still love your older instrumental pieces and vocals-only shanties, but the musical quality, in addition to the obvious presentation quality, has grown with each new song. I'm honored that you've brought us on this journey with you.

Wonder what a collab would sound like with Geoff Castellucci would sound like you both have amazing vocal range.

I feel like I just heard a piece of music a thousand years old. Incredible adaptation of this classic, it gave me chills.

There needs to be a double, nay treble, 'like' button for this. Immense.

My favorite musician singing one of my favorite songs?!?! Bro, this rendition is amazing!!! You get better and better. God Bless!!!

I had listened to this when my buddy killed himself. I was riding the train from Humphreys to seol korea. That day i desided i was going to do better for myself and others under me. And this song helped me out a lot. Thanks for making this.

This is the only rendition of this trad I've ever heard in which the anger at lost love comes through. Colm totally gets it. So powerful. Awesome and spine-chilling.

This is one of my favorite songs, and whenever you've covered one (like recently Sixteen Tons), you've made it your own in an awesome way. Normally it's sung in a high voice, so I'm intrigued.

I love Scarborough Fair, I've played the song on piano first and already fell in love with it, and now that I'm playing it on Cello I realize how amazingly natural this song sounds, it's like nature put its soul into this

Huge fan of colm belting out those notes towards the end. His voice is delicious to listen to. Lol

WOW. That was in a range and intensity i did not expect from you and it´s all the more impressive for it. Superbly done and goose bumps causing performance.

The song, the jumper, the facial hair-your aesthetic is so strong that I'm gonna brew it in some hot water to wake me up in the morning.

The best version I've ever heard of this cult song.

THE VOCALS ON THIS ONE! Colm you never fail to give me goosebumps and heal my heart.

My favorite song. Niiiice

At this point, I’m convinced Colm could cover Baby Shark and it would be absolutely epic.

Hearing this version of the song.. with his accent... this is GOLD...

I love this. It is sung with so much passion that my hairs are standing on end

I got chills imagining this in old norse

I now have boss music for my grocery-shopping adventures. Thanks for the bunch o' heather, Colm. 🤣😂❤

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is a haunting cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s version of Scarborough Faire (Canticle) made all the more relevant with the current conflicts.😊

I love the original, but this blows it away in my opinion. Chills. Absolutely stunning.

Listened to this at dusk while it was snowing in the dark, it was an out of body experience

Legendary!!!!! Colm McGuinness, Irish God!

Heart and soul in that one. 👍🥰

Agree you both would blow us away ❤

Colm did it again. His version has more viking like theme. I love this version best hope everyone enjoys.

I did not wake up this morning expecting to feel chills listening to a list of herbs, yet here we are

I didn't expect to like this so much, the lows are almoast like tuvan throat singing, and blend well with the highs too. Glad I found this one ...

jesus christ. This has to be the most profound change in mood compared to other versions i have ever heard. So far, my favorite version of this song was the one from Daniel Avidan and teh Super Guitar Bros, which is more of a lament, a sad love song. This version however. hooo boi! Its AMAZING. so epic.

The production quality is amazing. Colms vocal range is superb. What a talent. Also +1 for the epic stache

HE DID IT! Been waiting for this for months. Thanks handsome matey!

love this song and this is my new favorite version, this man has the pipes!

I really can’t find the words to express the depth of emotion this rendition elicits from my soul. Such a beautiful performance, thank you for singing it thus

this sent me directly to scarborough fair

About thyme too! Nah but you know I jest, well done Colm! Thank you very much for this and know that I appreciate every word that you sing 🖤

Colm you are a consummate performer, i absolutely love your work but oh this song is so beautifully done. you have out shined yourself.

Oh man, what a nostalgic song. I learned to play this on my oboe in elementary school, it was the first proper song I learned to play.

Oh MY GOD! This is yet another ✨impressive✨work!! Thank you Colm!💖

I absolutely love this cover... I can imagine it as a longboat song on the way to war.

This is the most beautiful version of Scarborough fair I have ever heard ❤❤❤

The only one who should cover Simon and Garfunkel songs is Colm ❤️

I don't mind listening your melodious voice 24/7 . Lots of love for you from A young Pakistani Lad

I think I could listen to you sing about a grocery list and still be impressed. Love your voice

Loved your version of this Song Colm!!! 10/10 Next song request: Hammer And The Anvil - The Longest Johns

My absolute favorite rendition!!!!! Would love to hear more of the deeper tones.

Chilling, haunting. Just found this before work and know my night will be better because of it!

love seeing less known songs being sung and watched and by one of my favorite singers, awesome and I just watched soldier poet king love the music keep it up Colm great work

My son absolutely adores your music I’d say he’s got great taste. For a wee babe

what a nightmare.. i missed the premiere! all because of my inattention ☹ great performance, Mr. Colm! very insightful! while listening - my heart was beating strongly) thanks for another masterpiece 💚

good mix of emotion and power, definitely adding to the spotify, thanks colm :)

I can just imagine a collaboration with Vinny Marchi's crystal clear tones and higher registers, it would pair really well with your voice, Mr. Colm! Anyway, this was another good one, so I thank you!

I know this isn't just a Simon and Garfunkel cover, but their catalog is full of songs that I would love to hear you try, particularly The Boxer and Dangling Conversation

I love it when men wear sweaters like this

First of all, the song is INCREDIBLE. Second of all, that moustache...also INCREDIBLE!

Haunting!

Oh my gosh *This has been my Favorite Song for decades. This makes me so happy. 👩🏻‍🦰⚒️🐺

I love this song, and have collected so, so many beautiful versions of it. ❤️ But I can’t say I’ve ever heard one so haunting! ✨😮

I find myself needing to listen to this daily. Colm your voice is like listening to a master painter complete a picture. Thank you for your hard work.

Wow. Nothing else. Just wow.

I’m obsessed with this song. Heard it a long time ago but forgot about it. A few weeks ago I was watching WorldEnd (an anime) and it started playing. Filling me with nostalgia. Now it’s my favourite song

You never disappoint brother. Thank you so much. The mustache and 5 O’clock shadow looks better. But just let it all grow we need more hairy men in this world. :-)

Instant goosebumps keep it up

I want this to be the main background music for Ironforge in my new WOW sci-fi novel.

lifes been so hard for me as of late, and this song is a huge comfort of mine, thank you so so much

I loved the heaviness of the drums! Your cover had a depth I've never heard in other versions. It was very atmospheric 💙💆🏻‍♀

Chills, man, chills.