Scarborough Fair is a traditional English folk song, the author of which is unknown. The best-known version today is Simon & Garfunkel's interpretation, which first appeared on the 1966 album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. The name can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when the northern English coastal town of Scarborough was an important meeting point for merchants from all over England. On August 15th each year, a 45-day large trade fair called the Scarborough Fair began there, which was very long for the time. The song was probably written in the 16th or 17th century. It is likely that it originated from the Scottish folk ballad The Elfin Knight (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aTwSzy2ivd0.html). It was changed several times after it was passed down from town to town. This is why there are dozens of verses today, but usually only a few are sung. The version of the melody known today was coined by Simon & Garfunkel; their recording Scarborough Fair/Canticle appeared on the 1966 album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. Paul Simon learned the song from Martin Carthy in London in 1965 and added the counterpoint of Canticle, a new recording of the song The Side of a Hill. So it's actually two songs in one.
Thank you for that explanation. I was going to say the same thing. I come from West Yorkshire, and although I knew the song, I didn't know the details of the Fair and the dates etc. Very interesting.
This is a mix of the old beautiful ballad, combined with the (1966, Vietnam war and so on) lyrics about young men leaving for war to die. It is as if the main ballad is sung by the soldier thinking of his love waiting in his home town.
Pick any song from their 5 studio albums together and you'll be blown away. Paul Simon is a musical and lyrical genius, and Art Garfunkel had the voice of an angel.
If you are doing Simon and Garfunkel you have to do Bridge Over Troubled Water and The Sound of Silence. They were epic hits and they are both unbelievable songs. Bridge Over Troubled Water won the Grammy for Song of the Year as did The Sound of Silence. As you can tell by the fact they won 2 song of the year grammys these guys were pretty big lol
One of the greatest duos ever. They were a hit machine from the mid-60's to 1970. Paul Simon's writing and musical composition and Art Garfunkel's incredible voice paired together for pure magic.
My memory is that their breakup was greeted with more sadness than the Beatles'. Everyone knew that the Beatles were not even speaking to each other and the breakup was imminent. Simon & Garfunkel were known to have tensions, but it seemed like something that could be worked through, until they split.
I always have physical reaction to this song. It is not a conscious reaction...it just overwhelms my senses. Such a natural high....it's a priceless song that endures.
“My heart is smiling.” That’s a perfect reaction to this stunningly beautiful song. It really is hard to find words that are adequate to describe the fusion of a genius songwriter like Paul Simon with his and Art Garfunkel’s voices and harmonies, along with the perfect instrumentation.
The four herbs mentioned are part of a "secret language" that people used back in the late middle ages to the late renaissance (actually the Romans did similarly). Each herb had a special meaning, for example: Parsley was comfort, sage was strength, rosemary was love and thyme was courage. People would often leave these (and other) herbs out as an unwritten message to others. For a "deep dive" song of theirs that also has beautiful harmonies, listen to "The Dangling Conversation".
Flowers were once used in exactly the same way. I believe especially in Victorian era. A bouquet of flowers could send a message…even a fairly complicated one.
@@helenespaulding7562 Same with women and hand held fans. *'Drawing the fan across the cheek supposedly meant 'I love you', while twirling it in the left hand signalized 'We are watched' and dropping it was a suggestion to just be friends.'*
another one is, The house of the rising sun, the Animals did a cover of it, and a band member noted that no one claimed it so he copy righted it and made a shit load of money, much to the displeasure of the rest of the band. But yep you right, El condor pasa (sorry for spelling) is another one Simon nicked @@antoniocarlin5026
Grew up with this song and their 1st couple of albums. Nice to hear it again. Out of nowhere you say "You are my princess" . What a sweetheart you are.!
The pure voices, the harpsichord and bells, incredible creative genius. "Bridge over Troubled Water" left an indelible impression on our culture - listen to understand.
How is it possible that people never have heard Simon And Garfunkel earlier in their lives. But, it is a fact. I am just glad you discover them now and we can witness this all. Bridge over Troubled Water is another, if not the most popular song they made. Still they have so many other great songs, ever so delicate. A special one to me is 'For Emily, Whenever I may Find Her'. Or 'America', or ' Homeward Bound.... and all these other ones. This song in particular displays Paul's poetic side, so vividly. Art's angellike voice takes them to a even higher place. That was their magic. And when they harmonize together, you get yet another layer added as well. A very special combination.
This is one of the favorite songs of my life. It’s just so beautiful. Played this album constantly in 1966 in college. As a singer in choirs all my life, I am so drawn to their exquisite harmonies….done in this case with such delicacy. Art Garfunkel’s voice had such an ethereal sound.
Someone wrote in a comment on one of your videos, that they would like to have you as neighbours. People to spend time with, enjoying beautiful things. I feel that way too.
Simon and Garfunkel, and Paul Simon after he went solo, are treasure troves of ear candy. Take note of the numerous recommendations and begin a journey.
Much of Paul Simon's early music was shaped by the turbulent events of the late 60's and early 70's. It touched him deeply and it poured out of him through his songs. He and Art Garfunkel were a perfect vocal pairing to sing for a generation of America's youth who were beginning to question everything. Now 50 some yeas later, it is still powerful stuff. They have many, many excellent songs. Thank you for sharing this one. 🙂
Sad news was shared in 2023 that Paul Simon lost the hearing in his left ear. He said he's struggling with his hearing impairment but is playing guitar every day. His impairment keeps him from performing as he cannot hear accompanying instruments. *Whomever wrote this so long ago, I hope they know the impact of their words...and Simon and Garfunkel are one of a kind musicians! Absolutely beautiful.
Simon and Garfunkel are in the Pantheon of the greatest of all time. They're there with the Beatles, Dylan, Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zepellin, the Who, etc. Paul Simon is a lyrical genius and Garfunkel has the angelic voice.
Welcome to my youth , great time to be alive as a teenager , so much great music about It seamed like every week there was a new massive hit or a change in music that no one had heard before
When one is in a discovery phase with the best music it can be wondrous and bewildering at the same time! I know exactly how you feel. The richness, depth and beauty of Simon & Garfunkel's work will bloom and stay with you for life!
The layered harmonies are just beautiful. Captivating. Especially the way they land on the 9th chord. Also - thank you for playing the second listening all the way to the end, with the delicate guitar harmonics completing the arrangement!
It makes me so very happy to see you hearing some of the most wonderful music ever produced. I'm only sad it's now, not decades ago. But at least you have them forever.
The harmony and overlaying of their voices along with the beautiful music and lyrics is incredible perfection. This song is a masterpiece if there ever was one. Thanks for posting and your reactions. Simon and Garfunkel are truly a National Treasure.
My interpretation for this song has been that a ghost is asking his former lover for tasks that are impossible to get done, as impossible it is for him to return to her. "Tell her to make me a cambric shirt" Cambric is canvas fabric used to make sails, "Without no seams nor needlework", a seamless shirt. Perhaps the ghost was a soldier 2nd song is about war. Two songs sung at the same time. Parsley - death and rebirth, sage - immortally and wisdom, rosemary - remembrance, and thyme - courage. Yes I agree such a beautiful song...…timeless...…..
One of the things that makes this song so great is the juxtaposition of the gentle love song with the song of war. Remember that historically, this song was written and released just as the war in Viet Nam was becoming a huge socio-political issue in America. You, my Romanian friends, have tapped into the rich tapestry of the most creative, magical and important era of popular music in the USA, and, of course, all around the world. Simon and Garfunkel were bards and troubadours of that most special time.
If you've only reacted to two of Simon and Garfunkel songs you really need to react to their first hit Sound of Silence and also their biggest hit Bridge Over Troubled Water you can react to those live if you want at Central Park New York in front of over a half million people!
I am so happy you found Simon and Garfunkel. They were my favorite group when I was in high school. Hearing their songs bring back many fond memories. Listen to Bridge Over Troubled Water. I think you would like it.
I would like to think this is correct, but the full lyrics of Scarborough Fair have the woman's reply with similarly impossible tasks for the man to perform. Until today, the interpretation I had always heard was that the woman and the man were former lovers who had a falling out and are sending each other messages (which shows they are not fully emotionally separated) that they would never get back together with them - basically saying "Not even if you were the last man/woman on Earth". The idea of a soldier relaying from the grave or as he is dying that he cannot be her lover until she can do the impossible is poetically lovely, but does not fit that she too is telling him to do impossible things.
"How you so good..?" That is a great question. How can a person create something so beautiful... and so emotionally powerful... with their minds... their music... and their lyrics. Love you two. You are so good together.
The second lyrics are from Paul Simon's song, "The Side of a Hill," which was an anti-war song released in 1963. Art Garfunkel composed the new melody to get the second lyrics to fit in counterpoint to the traditional song, "Scarborough Fair." IMO, medieval influences are behind some of the biggest hits in pop / rock, especially from this era. I'm sure you've already heard, for instance, "A Whiter Shade of Pale."
On 1st listen it sounds like just a whimsical folk song, but when you read the lyrics in the canticle it becomes very powerful. I happen to live within a couple of hours drive from Scarborough 😄
What is just as amazing as the song was how crazy popular it was when it was first introduced in the middle of the pure rock and roll period. It's what made this era so special. Thanks for the reaction and your enjoyment.
This song 🎶 more than any other for me is one of my earliest, deepest and most personal musical 🎶 memories from when I was a toddler back in the mid-late sixties!📻 Even though I'll be 60 at the end of this year, I can still remember clearly that song coming on the radio 📻 and for some reason it didn't matter what I was doing, it would always stop me in my tracks and proceed to have this "trance like" calming and soothing effect on me 😌 yet somehow with a tinge of meloncoly at the same time. Those are the distinct feelings I can remember clearly having and still to this day have every time I hear this song and I have since been playing the guitar 🎸 now about 40 some odd years now (since I was fifteen) and when I got accomplished enough (finally🤭) to try to play along with it (which is not the easiest thing to do with the incomparable Paul Simon), it was such a cathartic and surreal experience for me! It was like a feeling of coming "full circle" somehow in my musical journey!🎶 A song for the ages if there ever was one! Enjoy discovering these two gentlemen!🤗 They have an "extensive and stellar" catalog!!😊✌🏻💖🎶
Another great Simon and Garfunkel song is Bridge Over Troubled Water, I highly recommend the original studio version. I love your reactions to them, you have so much yet to discover, they were amazing. Other fantastic sons by them; I am a Rock, Cecelia, Hazy Shade of Winter, Homeward Bound, America, El Condor Pasa, For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her (Live in St. Louis, MO - November 1969).
I’ve been listening to Simon and Garfunkel since 1965. Paul Simon does not write a bad song but he has a great variety in his repertoire. The further forward in time one moves the more varied the lyrics and his songs. To make you happy try some of his songs with his African collaborators. In the meantime try “bridge over troubled water”.
As you noticed this piece is made out of two different songs, one is a traditional british folk song, the other an anti-war song written by Paul Simon. There is vocal technique we call "controcanto" in Italy (sorry I don't know the english name for it) that consists in two voices singing the same verses but with the second voice starting when the first one is half way through a verse. It is commonly used in folk music and my guess is Simon must have heard the traditional song sung in this way and thought he could write different verses for the second voice. Keep exploring the Simon & Garfunkel catalogue as well as Simon's solo work, you won't regret it.
Greetings from Texas.. You guys are so enjoyable to share music with. I grew up with Simon and Garfuncle. You could spend a great deal of time reacting to their catalog. Please keep up the wonderful reactions.
Growing up during the Vietnam War it was obvious this song was about the waste of war against a backdrop of a love song. This song enhanced the soundtrack of the movie ‘The Graduate’ along with other S&G classics!
Great videos, guys. So happy for your discovery of such beautiful music/musicians. It will change your life, since it gives people hope (so greatly needed today!). This music of the 60's and 70's unites people from all over the world (esp. on RU-vid!). Great commentary, esp. by your "Polish Princess", lol. God bless you both....
Great reaction you two!! Better to discover them late than not at all! Simon & Garfunkel has always been a constant in my life. This song especially - it has captivated me since I was a young child. The words, harmonies, music all blends immaculately. Please keep the S&G reactions coming! You'll never regret the deep dive into their music. Future recommendations: The Sound Of Silence, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Only Living Boy In New York, Homeward Bound, Kathy's Song...that's for starters. Cheers!
The counterpoint song, with the lyrics about war, had been written by Simon some years before, but he never felt it was complete enough to be worth recording. When working on his arrangement of Scarborough Fair, he realized they would work well together, and as you can tell, they did.
My parents were fans of Simon & Garfunkel since before I was born, so I grew listening to Simon & Garfunkel's music, they are part of my earliest memories!
My favorite song since I was a child. It is two songs put together. The first Scarboro Faire is an old english tune and Paul Simon wrote the second part The Canticle and together it is absolutely hauntingly beautiful.
The singer of the first part is a fatally wounded soldier who is asking his former love to give him a burial and mourn him. Herbs had specific meanings, Rosemary is for remembrance. The cambric shirt ......without seems or needlework is a shroud. Canticle is a song that describes the horror and futility of war . I don't know if it influenced Marl Knopfler in any way but these songs combined are a forerunner to Brothers in arms . Exact same subjet ,equally beautiful.
I saw Martin Carthy ,( who wrote this version of Scarborough Fair in the 60s ) in the 90s, in Lyme Regis in Dorset . What a genius of British folk music !
How wonderful to see your appreciation for truly remarkable artists. As a solo artist, Simon's "Graceland" is an extraordinary work, especially the title track.
