Composer

:

Paul Simon

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

3:26

"Scarborough Fair" is a traditional English ballad that has been popularized by many artists over the years. However, the version that is most well-known today is the one that was arranged and performed by Paul Simon in 1966. Simon's version of the song features a unique guitar arrangement and a haunting vocal melody that has made it a classic of the folk-rock genre. The origins of "Scarborough Fair" are somewhat obscure, but it is believed to have been a popular song in England during the Middle Ages. The lyrics of the song describe a man who is trying to win back the love of a woman who has set him a series of impossible tasks. The tasks include finding an acre of land between the salt water and the sea strand, plowing it with a lamb's horn, sowing it with one grain of corn, and reaping it with a sickle of leather. The woman promises to love the man if he can complete these tasks, but he knows that they are impossible and despairs of ever winning her back. Simon's version of the song features a distinctive guitar arrangement that is based on a traditional English folk tune called "The Elfin Knight." The guitar part is played in a fingerpicking style that is similar to the way that Simon played on many of his other songs. The vocal melody is also unique, with Simon's voice soaring over the guitar part in a way that is both haunting and beautiful. "Scarborough Fair" was first released on Simon and Garfunkel's 1966 album "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme." The album was a critical and commercial success, and "Scarborough Fair" quickly became one of the most popular songs on the record. The song was also released as a single, and it reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is divided into two distinct movements. The first movement features Simon's guitar and vocals, with the lyrics describing the impossible tasks that the man must complete. The second movement features the woman's response to the man's plea, with her promising to love him if he can complete the tasks. The two movements are separated by a short instrumental interlude that features a flute and a harpsichord. Overall, "Scarborough Fair" is a beautiful and haunting song that has stood the test of time. Simon's arrangement of the song is a classic of the folk-rock genre, and it continues to be popular with audiences around the world.

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