This is a very old traditional English ballad. The tasks that are mentioned are impossible to achieve. i.e. a shirt made with out seams or needle & thread. It is a beautiful song.
I didn't realize that I didn't actually know what half of those words in that lyric are. Never mind that I grew up listening to this song. Never mind that I've listened to it a million times. Thanks for showing the words of the lyric in the video or else I wouldn't have realized my ignorance about it.
Paul Simon heard the English folk singer Martin Carthy perform Scarborough Fair when visiting English folk clubs in the early 1960s and subsequently produced this beautiful version. The way the two songs intertwine is really beautiful.
They did it justice, but the lyrics of the 16th century (possibly older) ballad relate to a heartsick couple proposing impossible tasks to prove unending love to one another. Scarborough Fair itself was a late Middle Ages annual trading fair in Scarborough, Yorkshire in England.
I've recently discovered your channel, and just wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying your reactions. I grew up in the US in the '60's and have been listening to, and loving, the music of Paul Simon (Simon wrote all of the Simon and Garfunkel songs; Garfunkel was the principal singer, providing his amazing vocals and harmony) ever since. I think I've watched and enjoyed all of your Paul Simon reactions, but there are a number I'd love to hear, most notably, Bridge Over Troubled Water, perhaps their greatest song (their biggest hit, and well-deserved). Keep up the good work - it's fun watching you discover the music I've loved for years - you often offer an insight from the lyrics that even I'd never thought of!
There is so much happening with the vocals. There is the main voice of Paul Simon singing the main melody thrust of the story of story that is amazing by itself. Then there is second part with the harmony that fills in the details of the main story by Art Garfunkle that is absolutely masterful. The vocal arrangement with two sets of lyrics with two woven together is utterly unique. I have never heard another song composed this way. The band Gentle Giant is probably the closest to composing vocals and music together this way.
Two of the best harmonious voices ever.Try Bridge Over Troubled Water and The Boxer.And if you want a heavenly song...try I Love You and a That’s All I Know,when Art Garfunkel went out on his own.
I used to lie on my bed playing this record when it came out in England...so beautiful and I did not pick up the undertones beneath the main phrasing. I see below that it was a laying over of a ballad and a canticle - they did this kind of double tracking on at least one other song of theirs. Like Savio, I have not heard this doubled length version before. It was a delicate song that came out in a time of great social disturbance.
I think the "canticle" part was adapted from a song which Paul Simon wrote called "on the side of a hill" and they mixed the lyrics with the traditional "Scarborough fair" song which is supposed to be a duet referencing many impossible tasks.
The line "Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine" was also used by Bob Dylan in his song "Girl From the North Country". I believe both Dylan and Paul Simon learned Scarborough Fair from English folksinger Martin Carthy. Girl From the North Country: ua-cam.com/video/IJCmgKRszYM/v-deo.html Martin Carthy's Scarborough Fair: ua-cam.com/video/anruiZsXI1E/v-deo.html
There are actually two overlapping songs. Scarborough Fair is a traditional British folk song about forbidden love and it's impossibilities, while the other song is called "Canticle" which was about the Vietnam War. The actual title is "Scarborough Fair/Canticle".
[June 2020] Thank you for your reaction video! I'm really enjoying your videos at this point during quarantine and civil unrest here in the states. Your reactions and the music you pick are a good antidote to the stress of these things.
I don't know how accurate this story is but I heard that it is was two separate songs put together, both songs about the man and woman's love for their country. they loved each other but he got called into service and had to go fight for England, while she stayed in England where he wrote her letters. But the war changed him and made him feel unfit to return and he tried to become himself and forget the horrors of the war. So he wrote letters of his love for her and she waited for him to return. When he finally did he found she had died.
Yes, musically it's beautiful and the harmonies are exquisite. But to me, this song also has a very dark and haunting quality. At least in this arrangement. I get the same sense of foreboding from hearing it as I do from the old children's nursery rhymes, which often masked very cruel punishments and life lessons among the seemingly childlike and innocent words. And let's not forget that Paul Simon interspersed this song with his own composition, Canticle, which is all about war and death. And considering that, I think it's clear that Simon and Garfunkel intended this recording to be a bit unsettling.
This is about a soldier in late 1600's England. Two separate songs. Scarborough Fair is him giving someone at the camp directions of what to tell his lover, in Scarborough, to do if he dies. Canticle, the second lyrics, is the reality of the generals ordering the troops into the battle, where he dies. The cambric shirt and the acre of land are for the burial, the spices are symbols of his love. This was released in 1966 and 1968 when millions were being drafted to fight in Vietnam.
Impossible things, this is a dark and bitter folk song smothered in honey and sprinkled with sugar. Too sweet for the people of Yorkshire. Paul Simon took away its meaning. The herbs are to counter the riddles which were associated with evil.
And God said "let there be 2-part harmony", and behold there was Simon and Garfunkel.
This is a very old traditional English ballad. The tasks that are mentioned are impossible to achieve. i.e. a shirt made with out seams or needle & thread. It is a beautiful song.
It is also a Viet Nam song.... it has double meaning.
@@maritamcnichol8849 That’s cool. I didn’t know that.😃🎶✨🎶✨🎶
This is the long rarely heard version. A masterpiece. Sometimes the companion verses are left out
This is Simon & Garfunkel at there best.
Simon & Garfunkel always had such great harmonies & beautiful songs.
I didn't realize that I didn't actually know what half of those words in that lyric are. Never mind that I grew up listening to this song. Never mind that I've listened to it a million times. Thanks for showing the words of the lyric in the video or else I wouldn't have realized my ignorance about it.
There are 2 poems going on in tandem
Paul Simon heard the English folk singer Martin Carthy perform Scarborough Fair when visiting English folk clubs in the early 1960s and subsequently produced this beautiful version. The way the two songs intertwine is really beautiful.
Beautiful version of a 500 year old British folk song 👍
This song was featured in the film, The Graduate...
Paul Simon....to think that a man in his 20's could write and compose so many beautiful songs.
jmpmusva oh yes!
sttgaegoaktd
this is actually a traditional irish song, it's almost 100 years old. but this is by far, in my opinion the best version.
@@dannomikos6334 english not irish
@@alecneate76 no , i'm greek. oh, you mean the song.
They did it justice, but the lyrics of the 16th century (possibly older) ballad relate to a heartsick couple proposing impossible tasks to prove unending love to one another. Scarborough Fair itself was a late Middle Ages annual trading fair in Scarborough, Yorkshire in England.
I realllly enjoy your reactions, folks. 🌺😊✨✨✨
What a lovely addition to my morning!!! Thank You!!! So beautiful!
I've recently discovered your channel, and just wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying your reactions. I grew up in the US in the '60's and have been listening to, and loving, the music of Paul Simon (Simon wrote all of the Simon and Garfunkel songs; Garfunkel was the principal singer, providing his amazing vocals and harmony) ever since. I think I've watched and enjoyed all of your Paul Simon reactions, but there are a number I'd love to hear, most notably, Bridge Over Troubled Water, perhaps their greatest song (their biggest hit, and well-deserved). Keep up the good work - it's fun watching you discover the music I've loved for years - you often offer an insight from the lyrics that even I'd never thought of!
I like how the song alternates between peace in one hand and war on the other. Yin and yang.
There is so much happening with the vocals. There is the main voice of Paul Simon singing the main melody thrust of the story of story that is amazing by itself. Then there is second part with the harmony that fills in the details of the main story by Art Garfunkle that is absolutely masterful. The vocal arrangement with two sets of lyrics with two woven together is utterly unique. I have never heard another song composed this way. The band Gentle Giant is probably the closest to composing vocals and music together this way.
Their prettiest song, from a musical pair that put out MANY pretty songs.
Two of the best harmonious voices ever.Try Bridge Over Troubled Water and The Boxer.And if you want a heavenly song...try I Love You and a That’s All I Know,when Art Garfunkel went out on his own.
this is a medley of two songs being sung together-- Scarborough fair (the top lines) & Canticle (the bottom lines)
I used to lie on my bed playing this record when it came out in England...so beautiful and I did not pick up the undertones beneath the main phrasing. I see below that it was a laying over of a ballad and a canticle - they did this kind of double tracking on at least one other song of theirs. Like Savio, I have not heard this doubled length version before. It was a delicate song that came out in a time of great social disturbance.
I think the "canticle" part was adapted from a song which Paul Simon wrote called "on the side of a hill" and they mixed the lyrics with the traditional "Scarborough fair" song which is supposed to be a duet referencing many impossible tasks.
Excellent song by Simon & Garfunkel! Another one of my favorites was "I Am A Rock"!
Its really a song about death and the end of hope and meaning. As bleak and beautiful a song as there ever will be. Love won't triumph.
Yea definitely a masterpiece.
The line "Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine" was also used by Bob Dylan in his song "Girl From the North Country". I believe both Dylan and Paul Simon learned Scarborough Fair from English folksinger Martin Carthy.
Girl From the North Country: ua-cam.com/video/IJCmgKRszYM/v-deo.html
Martin Carthy's Scarborough Fair: ua-cam.com/video/anruiZsXI1E/v-deo.html
There are actually two overlapping songs. Scarborough Fair is a traditional British folk song about forbidden love and it's impossibilities, while the other song is called "Canticle" which was about the Vietnam War. The actual title is "Scarborough Fair/Canticle".
Thank You !!!
It's originally an ancient pagan song of forbidden love between a human woman and a "Fae" man.
[June 2020] Thank you for your reaction video! I'm really enjoying your videos at this point during quarantine and civil unrest here in the states. Your reactions and the music you pick are a good antidote to the stress of these things.
This is actually "Scarborough Fair/Canticle"
Great modern take on centuries old melody and lyrics.
It was based on an old English folk song!
Love this song, you must try Kathy's Song the lyrics are awesome!
Old Wrinkly Dave , oh yes! And the melody too!
sttgaegoaktd
Scarborough Fair is actually a medieval English folk song from the 1500s
This is next-level stuff. Astounding.
You should react to Bridge over Troubled Water. That is considered their greatest hit.
Your reaction was so interesting.
I don't know how accurate this story is but I heard that it is was two separate songs put together, both songs about the man and woman's love for their country. they loved each other but he got called into service and had to go fight for England, while she stayed in England where he wrote her letters. But the war changed him and made him feel unfit to return and he tried to become himself and forget the horrors of the war. So he wrote letters of his love for her and she waited for him to return. When he finally did he found she had died.
i thought the young soldier died.. but it was the lady who left the world.
@@NelsonWin just the story I heard. beautifully put together and performed by gifted singers.
This song sounds like some kind of Celtic folk song.
Love a song in a minor key...harmonies divine crystal clear instrumentation true atmosphere makes me imagine I was there...P, S, R and T.
Yes, musically it's beautiful and the harmonies are exquisite. But to me, this song also has a very dark and haunting quality. At least in this arrangement.
I get the same sense of foreboding from hearing it as I do from the old children's nursery rhymes, which often masked very cruel punishments and life lessons
among the seemingly childlike and innocent words. And let's not forget that Paul Simon interspersed this song with his own composition, Canticle, which is
all about war and death. And considering that, I think it's clear that Simon and Garfunkel intended this recording to be a bit unsettling.
This is a 16th Century song from England.
The author is unknown. Paul Simon didn't compose it.
Please check out
Live Version on
Andy Williams Show
Love your Valentine's Day red!
As you have enjoyed this traditional English ballad, you might enjoy This (also with lyrics). ua-cam.com/video/LJHpG-CIlcE/v-deo.html
This is about a soldier in late 1600's England. Two separate songs. Scarborough Fair is him giving someone at the camp directions of what to tell his lover, in Scarborough, to do if he dies. Canticle, the second lyrics, is the reality of the generals ordering the troops into the battle, where he dies. The cambric shirt and the acre of land are for the burial, the spices are symbols of his love. This was released in 1966 and 1968 when millions were being drafted to fight in Vietnam.
Nice Madrigal.
Well done. 👏👏👏
If you want a correct version listen to Ewan McCall.
Impossible things, this is a dark and bitter folk song smothered in honey and sprinkled with sugar. Too sweet for the people of Yorkshire. Paul Simon took away its meaning. The herbs are to counter the riddles which were associated with evil.
SRV🤙