Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
She once was a true love of mine
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Without no seam or needlework
Then she'll be a true love of mine
Tell her to find me an acre of land
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Between the salt water and the sea strand
Then she'll be a true love of mine
Tell her to plough it with one ram's horn
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
And sow it all over with one peppercorn
Then she'll be a true love of mine
Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
And gather it all in a bunch of heather
Then she'll be a true love of mine
Variations
There are many variations of this song which is probably about 500 years old. At camp we usually sing a shorter version, popularised by Simon and Garfunkel in the 1970s. On the right is a longer traditional version, where the man and woman each set each other a series of tasks.
The herbs in the refrain are symbolic: parsley takes away bitterness, sage and thyme respectively symbolise strength and courage, while rosemary represents faithfulness, love and remembrance.
SCARBOROUGH FAIR (A traditional version)
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
She once was a true love of mine
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Without no seam nor fine needlework
Then she'll be a true love of mine
Tell her to wash it in yonder dry well
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Where water ne'er sprung nor rain ever fell
Then she'll be a true love of mine
Tell her to dry it on yonder thorn
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Which never bore blossom since Adam was born
Then she'll be a true love of mine
Can you find me an acre of land
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Between the salt water and the sea-sand?
Or you'll never be a true love of mine
Can you plough it with a lamb's horn?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
And sow it all over with one peppercorn ?
Or you'll never be a true love of mine
Can you reap it with a sickle of leather?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
And gather it up in a bundle of heather?
Or you'll never be a true love of mine
When you have done and finished your work
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Come to me for your cambric shirt
For then you'll be a true love of mine
If you say that you can't, then I shall reply
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Oh, Let me know that at least you will try
Or you'll never be a true love of mine
Guitar chords for Scarborough Fair
Am G Am Are you going to Scarborough Fair? C Am D Am Parsley, sage, rose-mary and thyme F C G Re-member me to one who lives there Am G Am She once was a true love of mine