Riding in the car with my 5 year old listening to Scarborough Fair. When it ended, she turned to me and said " I'm glad Parsley saved Rosemary in time!"
The Scarborough Fair song is an old English folk song. Simon & Garfunkel made a counterpoint song of this with the other verses - the ones in parentheses (I think those verses were written by Paul Simon). Scarborough Fair was in the repertoire of my high school choir. We were absolutely thrilled when this came out from S&G in ‘66! We sang our version (same tune without the counterpoint verses) at almost every concert for several years, it was really popular.
Man for a minute I thought you weren't gonna get the meaning then at the last minute you nailed it. Impressive. As far as the meaning of the herbs, I found this on a website: "For the Romans, parsley was a symbol of death and rebirth often used to decorate tombs; sage was a healing herb and thought to impart immortality and wisdom; rosemary was the herb of remembrance used both at weddings and funerals; thyme was said to give courage." Fascinating stuff for an all-time classic.
That and... All the herbs are meant to improve the taste of food. Remember, in medieval times there wasn't refrigeration! Scarborough Fair is a very old song. There are many, many verses. One that is used to sometimes to end the song goes... Love imposes impossible tasks Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme But none more so than any would ask She once was a true love of mine.
Two songs put together. The first is about a former love and the singer gives her impossible tasks to become his love once again; the singer doesn't really love her and does not want her. The second song (the words in parenthesis) is about a call to war for a cause the nobody even remembers. The battle takes place in the night while civilians, including a small child, are sleeping; the village is ambushed and children are dead. This song is so soft and beautiful that you think it is a feel good tune. The lyrics say otherwise. Thank you for your reaction. You did your research and get it. Most reactors have no clue. I love your reactions and I am a subscriber.
There’s another version of the song on Esteban Richmond’s channel that’s titled “Scarborough Fair - The History behind Lyrics” that tells the history of the song while a woman named Amy sings a version of the song. There are different versions of the song and no one knows who wrote it.
Lots of medieval images in this song. It was written end of the sixties when the Vietnam war was on its horrible peak. Its basically a wonderful anti war song. A masterpiece if you ask me.
@ I agree that it refers to all wars, but Vietnam loomed largely over us all who were of draft age, or whose brothers and friends were. We made that connection then, but it doesn’t mean it only means Vietnam. Peace to you.
Nice! Simon & Garfunkel took their recording of "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" to the top forty in the US in 1968. The roots of "Scarborough Fair" trace as far back in time as 1670. In terms of pop music, Simon & Garfunkel went into deep time on this one, and pulled it off with style!
1685 is the end of the high baroque/start of rococo; melodically Scarborough fair is more akin to late Renaissance/early baroque so musically I’d knock 50-75 years off that estimate easily-maybe 100 years without being troubled by it.
I think it's a harpsichord you're talking about. A magical song. Takes you to a different time and place. This is about as perfect a song as you'll ever hear. Just an incredible song.
Its two songs in one. The one was written in the 15 hundreds. The other is an anti vietnam war song written by simon and garfunkel. Combined to make an interesting song.
You nailed it -- he give her impossible tasks: make a shirt without seams. Find an acre of land between the the sea and the beach. The verses in parentheses constitute the song "Canticle." It's an anti-vietnam-war song. The main song is a variant of the song "The Elven Knight," which is a Child Ballad. Mr. Child collected English and Scottish folksongs, some dating back 500 years and more.
It's called Counterpoint it's 2 songs together. One song is medievil times. The 2nd song is Cantical an 1963 antiwar song by Paul Simon. The medievil song is from the 16th century. The herbs in medievil times are symbols such as love, courage,etc.
These are two different songs woven together. One is a traditional English folk song that goes back to at least the mid-17th century ("Scarborough Faire") and the other an anti-war song Paul Simonn wrote ("Canticle"). I would say that what both songs have in common is conflict and the impossibility of resolution. Another meaning for the two songs together is that the one at the faire is a lover awaiting for her beau to return from war, but he was cut down in the conflict. He can never return to her nor be her true love again because he is no longer in this world, hence the impossible tasks that would need to be done before he could reunite with her. The herbs mentioned in the folk song are just filler words, a kind of 'do-be-do-be-do' or 'la-la-la' Please do a reaction to Simon & Garfunkel's "7 O'clock News/Silent Night".
English Folk was having a revival around this time - be sure to check out tracks from "Unhalfbricking" or "Liege and Lief" from Fairport Convention...or pretty much anything with Sandy Denny on it.
I really enjoy your reactions , Your Input/ Breakdown of the songs you react to are so in depth and spot on ! These guys will definitely go down in history as Legendary musicians !
wow, I believe i was about 5 years old when I heard this song. It brought feelings of peace and harmony. I believe this song was a base for my appreciation of music and it many layers. A good ol' round of a song.
Really enjoyed this. I'm not sure I'd personalize it to say he's giving her impossible tasks; I've usually seen it as simply something you might wish for, but it's impossible. Similar to Donovan's "Ah but I may as well try to catch the wind." Or find an acre of land between the water and the strand. Can't do it. And no matter how much I (and she) may wish for it, that girl will never be my true love again. Yep, you're getting it. Really good job for a first listen.
At the height of the Vietnam war, there were all kinds of antiwar songs in the top 40. That’s one way music has changed. Now nobody really gives a 💩? We have issues that need to be addressed, but Pop music is failing us.
You are so dang smart! Unbelievable how you dig so deep and uncover all these hidden nuggets. I remember this song being a very cryptic anti-vietnam message. And you're right, their poetry/lyric writing is very challenging 🤓🧐
Riding in the car with my 5 year old listening to Scarborough Fair. When it ended, she turned to me and said " I'm glad Parsley saved Rosemary in time!"
That's adorable! ❤
That’s so precious! ❤
We played S&G on road trips when the kids were little. They loved it.
LOL that's hilarious
The Scarborough Fair song is an old English folk song. Simon & Garfunkel made a counterpoint song of this with the other verses - the ones in parentheses (I think those verses were written by Paul Simon).
Scarborough Fair was in the repertoire of my high school choir. We were absolutely thrilled when this came out from S&G in ‘66! We sang our version (same tune without the counterpoint verses) at almost every concert for several years, it was really popular.
Man for a minute I thought you weren't gonna get the meaning then at the last minute you nailed it. Impressive. As far as the meaning of the herbs, I found this on a website: "For the Romans, parsley was a symbol of death and rebirth often used to decorate tombs; sage was a healing herb and thought to impart immortality and wisdom; rosemary was the herb of remembrance used both at weddings and funerals; thyme was said to give courage." Fascinating stuff for an all-time classic.
That and... All the herbs are meant to improve the taste of food. Remember, in medieval times there wasn't refrigeration!
Scarborough Fair is a very old song. There are many, many verses. One that is used to sometimes to end the song goes...
Love imposes impossible tasks
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
But none more so than any would ask
She once was a true love of mine.
When music was beautiful.
Two songs put together. The first is about a former love and the singer gives her impossible tasks to become his love once again; the singer doesn't really love her and does not want her.
The second song (the words in parenthesis) is about a call to war for a cause the nobody even remembers. The battle takes place in the night while civilians, including a small child, are sleeping; the village is ambushed and children are dead.
This song is so soft and beautiful that you think it is a feel good tune. The lyrics say otherwise.
Thank you for your reaction. You did your research and get it. Most reactors have no clue. I love your reactions and I am a subscriber.
I'm sure you can understand the impact these guys had on us all back then. Every song so thought provoking with brilliant arrangements. Nice choice
She'll never be his true love because he is dead, he died in the war and left her behind.
There’s another version of the song on Esteban Richmond’s channel that’s titled “Scarborough Fair - The History behind Lyrics” that tells the history of the song while a woman named Amy sings a version of the song. There are different versions of the song and no one knows who wrote it.
Lots of medieval images in this song. It was written end of the sixties when the Vietnam war was on its horrible peak. Its basically a wonderful anti war song. A masterpiece if you ask me.
This is one of the most 1960’s “peace” songs that I can think of, and it doesn’t refer to Vietnam once. Great reaction, thank you for choosing it.
I know the Vietnam War was going on when this song was out, but I always felt that it referred to all wars and conflicts. Peace to all!
@ I agree that it refers to all wars, but Vietnam loomed largely over us all who were of draft age, or whose brothers and friends were. We made that connection then, but it doesn’t mean it only means Vietnam. Peace to you.
I'm sure I had the incredulous look on my face the first time I listened to this song in 1966 that you had reacting to this video.
Nice! Simon & Garfunkel took their recording of "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" to the top forty in the US in 1968. The roots of "Scarborough Fair" trace as far back in time as 1670. In terms of pop music, Simon & Garfunkel went into deep time on this one, and pulled it off with style!
1685 is the end of the high baroque/start of rococo; melodically Scarborough fair is more akin to late Renaissance/early baroque so musically I’d knock 50-75 years off that estimate easily-maybe 100 years without being troubled by it.
I think it's a harpsichord you're talking about. A magical song. Takes you to a different time
and place. This is about as perfect a song as you'll ever hear. Just an incredible song.
Its two songs in one. The one was written in the 15 hundreds. The other is an anti vietnam war song written by simon and garfunkel. Combined to make an interesting song.
The song is called a Canticle. 2 different songs. One is about war
Beautiful song
You nailed it -- he give her impossible tasks: make a shirt without seams. Find an acre of land between the the sea and the beach. The verses in parentheses constitute the song "Canticle." It's an anti-vietnam-war song. The main song is a variant of the song "The Elven Knight," which is a Child Ballad. Mr. Child collected English and Scottish folksongs, some dating back 500 years and more.
I came across a live video of S & G with TV host, Andy Williams in 1968 all singing this song together. It was fantastic!!
That's a great rendition.
It's called Counterpoint it's 2 songs together. One song is medievil times. The 2nd song is Cantical an 1963 antiwar song by Paul Simon. The medievil song is from the 16th century. The herbs in medievil times are symbols such as love, courage,etc.
Man! Now THAT! was a great reaction to an old fave. Loved it, thanks!
These are two different songs woven together.
One is a traditional English folk song that goes back to at least the mid-17th century ("Scarborough Faire") and the other an anti-war song Paul Simonn wrote ("Canticle").
I would say that what both songs have in common is conflict and the impossibility of resolution.
Another meaning for the two songs together is that the one at the faire is a lover awaiting for her beau to return from war, but he was cut down in the conflict. He can never return to her nor be her true love again because he is no longer in this world, hence the impossible tasks that would need to be done before he could reunite with her.
The herbs mentioned in the folk song are just filler words, a kind of 'do-be-do-be-do' or 'la-la-la'
Please do a reaction to Simon & Garfunkel's "7 O'clock News/Silent Night".
This song is hundreds of years old. The secondary part sung is modern
They performed this on the Andy Williams show. Andy sang along. It even more beautiful. You should check it out.
Nice work! Impressive unpacking of complex lyrics.
Such an incredible song, one of my S&G faves!
I think the voice stacking is called rounds.
English Folk was having a revival around this time - be sure to check out tracks from "Unhalfbricking" or "Liege and Lief" from Fairport Convention...or pretty much anything with Sandy Denny on it.
Would also add PENTANGLE & STEELEYE SPAN to that recommendation...
Look into Who Knows Where The Time Goes?, Time None the Wiser, and Genesis Hill.
Great job.
Rushed right over here when I saw what you were reacting to. YES!!!!!! Thank you!!! 🙂
Sergio Mendes and Brasil'66 did an excellent cover of Scarborough Fair.
Wow your reaction eye opening to me. Thanks
From the movie "The Graduate". It appeared along with another S & G great, "Mrs. Robinson".
The film is epic but the soundtrack makes it great
To the Classics 🫡
My favorite Simon & Garfunkle song - always reminds me of Christmas time for some reason.
I really enjoy your reactions , Your Input/ Breakdown of the songs you react to are so in depth and spot on ! These guys will definitely go down in history as Legendary musicians !
Love this !!!
Nice one, thank you!
Definition of "Lush" .
All Timer brilliance that always evokes the Most Beautiful Day Ever...vibe .
This song and "Battle of Evermore" by Led Zep give me the same vibe. . . like something you'd hear at the Renaissance Fest. Both classics! Thanks! ✌🏻💀
Sandy Denny was the master of English folk, and Robert Plant knew it.
wow, I believe i was about 5 years old when I heard this song.
It brought feelings of peace and harmony. I believe this song was a base for my appreciation of music and it many layers.
A good ol' round of a song.
☮️💙💙💙🔥🔥😍😎thank you!
I know right? Exactly.
They were amazing
Really enjoyed this. I'm not sure I'd personalize it to say he's giving her impossible tasks; I've usually seen it as simply something you might wish for, but it's impossible. Similar to Donovan's "Ah but I may as well try to catch the wind." Or find an acre of land between the water and the strand. Can't do it. And no matter how much I (and she) may wish for it, that girl will never be my true love again. Yep, you're getting it. Really good job for a first listen.
I think it is a medeival tale
At the height of the Vietnam war, there were all kinds of antiwar songs in the top 40. That’s one way music has changed. Now nobody really gives a 💩?
We have issues that need to be addressed, but Pop music is failing us.
Loved your reaction. Amazing song.
You should listen to "7 o'clock news/Silent Night" it is a beautiful song that contrast of the news against the Christmas song
Harpsichord , bro .
Pre dates the Piano , but played similarly .
Wow! I’ve been listening to this song since I was a kid and just enjoyed the music thinking the lyrics were fillers. You opened my eyes!
Great reaction. Thanks.
Don't you love the harpsichord?
You are so dang smart! Unbelievable how you dig so deep and uncover all these hidden nuggets. I remember this song being a very cryptic anti-vietnam message. And you're right, their poetry/lyric writing is very challenging 🤓🧐
The harpsichord?
Yout intro comments are ridiculously long. Bye