Composer

:

English Traditional

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Song: Folk Song

Compose Date

:

before 1673

Average_duration

:

3:27

"Scarborough Fair" is a traditional English ballad that dates back to the 17th century. The song is believed to have originated in the town of Scarborough, located on the North Sea coast of England. The ballad tells the story of a young man who asks his former lover to perform a series of impossible tasks in order to prove her love for him. The song has been popularized in modern times by various artists, including Simon and Garfunkel, who recorded a version of the song in 1966. The Simon and Garfunkel version features a distinctive guitar riff and vocal harmonies, and has become one of the most recognizable versions of the song. "Scarborough Fair" is typically performed in a slow, mournful tempo, with a simple melody and sparse instrumentation. The song is divided into several verses, each of which describes a different task that the young man asks of his former lover. The tasks include weaving a shirt without seams, finding an acre of land between the salt water and the sea strand, and finding an egg that has never been laid. Despite the seemingly impossible nature of the tasks, the young man promises to return to Scarborough Fair if his former lover is able to complete them. The song ends with the young man expressing his hope that his former lover will be able to complete the tasks and prove her love for him. Overall, "Scarborough Fair" is a haunting and melancholy ballad that has endured for centuries. Its simple melody and timeless lyrics have made it a favorite of musicians and audiences alike, and it continues to be performed and recorded in a variety of styles and genres.

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