Scarborough Fair
Marianne Faithfull · Decca Years 1965-1967 [2007]
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
Remember me to one that lives there
For once she once was a true lover of mine.
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
One with no seams, of fine needlework
And then she'll be a true lover of mine.
Tell her to dry it 'pon yonder thorn
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
That never bore fruit since Adam was born
And then she'll be a true lover of mine.
Ah, can you find me an acre of land
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
Between the salt sea and the sea sand
Or never be a true lover of mine.
And can you plough it with a sheep's horn
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
And sow it all over with one peppercorn
Or never be a true lover of mine.
And when you have done and finished your work
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
Then come to me for your cambric shirt
And then you'll be a true lover of mine.
Scarborough Fair
Marianne Faithfull's 1965 recording of 'Scarborough Fair' stands as a defining moment in her early career, blending folk tradition with a distinctive, melancholic vocal delivery. Originally composed by the 19th-century English poet and musician Richard Dadd, the song was popularized in the 1960s by The Mamas & the Papas, yet Faithfull's version offered a more intimate and haunting interpretation. Released on her album 'Decca Years 1965-1967', the track exemplifies the British folk revival of the era, characterized by its intricate harmonies and storytelling nature. Faithfull's performance captures the song's underlying themes of longing and separation with a raw emotional intensity that has since cemented its status as a classic. The recording remains a staple of her discography, showcasing her ability to transform traditional material into deeply personal art.