Simon & Garfunkel’s “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” is a mesmerizing blend of English folklore and anti-war sentiment. It’s a song that speaks to the heart with its haunting melody and profound lyrics. The song narrates an impossible quest for lost love. It’s set against the backdrop of the traditional English ballad “Scarborough Fair.” The lyrics weave a tale of a man asking his former lover to perform impossible tasks to win back his love. This quest symbolizes the unattainable nature of perfect love and reconciliation.
The “Canticle,” a counter-melody with anti-war lyrics is intertwined with this. It reflects the futility and human cost of war. The song, thus, becomes a powerful statement about the elusive nature of peace and love in times of conflict.
Curious about how a folk ballad turned into a powerful anti-war anthem? The layers in “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” are as rich and complex as its harmonies. This song isn’t just a melody; it’s a journey through time, emotions, and profound messages. Discover the magic woven into each verse.
“Scarborough Fair/Canticle” Lyrics Meaning
“Are you going to Scarborough Fair?” This opening line sets the tone for a journey through a medieval world of love and challenges. It’s a call to remember a former lover, shrouded in the mystique of parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. These herbs, beyond their culinary use, symbolize virtues like strength, love, and remembrance, linking the song to deeper emotional states.
“Tell her to make me a cambric shirt…without no seams nor needle work.” This task, seemingly simple, is an impossible feat, representing the unattainable nature of a past relationship. It’s a metaphor for the complexities and challenges in rekindling lost love.
As we delve deeper, the “Canticle” part of the song emerges, contrasting the gentle folk tune with stark, anti-war imagery. “Blazing in scarlet battalions” and “Generals order their soldiers to kill” starkly oppose the peaceful quest for love. This juxtaposition highlights the futility of war, mirroring the impossible tasks set for the lover.
The song concludes with a return to the chorus, a melancholic reminder of the unattainable, whether it be perfect love or peace.
The Story Behind “Scarborough Fair/Canticle”
Simon & Garfunkel’s adaptation of this traditional English ballad came at a crucial time – the 1960s, an era marked by social and political upheaval, particularly the Vietnam War. Art Garfunkel, deeply affected by the war’s senselessness, infused the song with a Canticle – a counter-song that speaks of the horrors of war. This was a time when music became a powerful vehicle for protest and reflection.
The folk elements of “Scarborough Fair” hark back to an idealized past, contrasting sharply with the contemporary realities of war and conflict. The song reflects the artists’ state of mind – a longing for peace and simplicity in a world growing increasingly complex and violent.
“Scarborough Fair/Canticle” thus stands as a testament to the power of music as a form of protest and commentary. It embodies the spirit of its era, capturing the longing for peace and the pervasive sense of loss – both in love and in life.