• 11 years ago
A beautiful Piano arrangement of "Scarborough Fair" written and performed by composer Cheryl Shantz. The arrangement is from her Piano collection "Folksongs for Piano: A Classical Interpretation" (www.kallistimusic.com). "Scarborough Fair" is a famous riddle-type English ballad that was first published as a black-letter broadside (16th & 17th century newspaper) titled "The Elfin Knight" in 1670. In it, a whimsical suitor makes impossible requests of a woman who will be his true love if she can fulfill these. For example, "Tell her to make me a cambric shirt, without any seams or needlework." Ballads of this type represent a transition from the "hero-epics" of the Middle Ages to the more romantic ballads of the late 17th century England, and speak on behalf of the hopes and dreams of the common person.
To see a full listing of folksong arrangements by Cheryl Shantz click on the following website: http://cshantz.blogspot.com/
For a listing of her original song compositions, visit the following website: http://cmshantz.blogspot.com/
To see a listing of Cheryl Shantz's compositions for full orchestra visit: http://www.cherylshantz.blogspot.com/
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Below are the lyrics to "Scarborough Fair." "Scarborough Fair"

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
Remember me to one who lived there.
She once was a true love of mine.

Have her make me a cambric shirt
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
Without no seams, nor fine needle work.
Then she'll be a true love of mine.

Tell her to weave it in a sycamore wood lane.
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Gather it up in a basket of flowers
Then she'll be a true love of mine

Have her wash it in yonder dry well
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Where water ne'er sprung, nor drop of rain fell.
Then she'll be a true love of mine

Tell her to to find me an acre of land.
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Between the sea foam and over the sand.
Then she'll be a true love of mine

Plow the land with the horn of a lamb.
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Then sow some seeds from north of the dam.
Then she'll be a true love of mine

Have her reap it with a sickle of leather.
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Gather it up in a bunch of heather.
Then she'll be a true love of mine

If she tells me she can't, then I'll reply.
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Let me know, that at least she will try.
Then she'll be a true love of mine

Love imposes impossible tasks
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Though not more than any heart asks.
And I must know she's true love of mine

When thou has finished thy task.
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Come to me my hand for to ask.
For then you'll be a true love of mine

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