The 1966 Simon & Garfunkel single “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” is a captivating and multifaceted musical work that showcases the duo’s unparalleled ability to weave together disparate elements into a cohesive and mesmerizing tapestry.
The “Scarborough Fair” portion of the track is a hauntingly beautiful folk ballad, based on a traditional English ballad, that tells the tale of a man instructing his former lover to perform a series of seemingly impossible tasks as a test of her devotion. Simon & Garfunkel’s interpretation of this timeless narrative is marked by their signature vocal harmonies, which lend a sense of wistful melancholy to the proceedings, as well as the track’s sparse, yet evocative, instrumental arrangement.
The “Canticle” section that follows serves as a stunning counterpoint to the folk-inspired “Scarborough Fair.” Featuring intricate, overlapping vocal lines and a more complex, modal harmonic structure, this portion of the track is a poetic meditation on the themes of war, peace, and the human condition. The lyrics, which draw from the 14th-century poem “Canticle of the Sun” by Francis of Assisi, as well as Simon’s own original verses, create a powerful and introspective contemplation on the nature of spirituality, the ravages of conflict, and the search for redemption.
The seamless integration of these two distinct musical and lyrical elements is a testament to the duo’s masterful compositional skills and their ability to create a cohesive and deeply resonant artistic statement. The transitions between the two sections are marked by a sense of natural fluidity, as if the listener is being transported between two complementary realms of human experience.
Ultimately, “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” stands as a timeless and profoundly influential work that has left an indelible mark on the folk and pop music traditions. The song’s ability to transcend the boundaries of genre and time, while addressing universal themes of love, loss, and the human condition, is a testament to the enduring power of Simon & Garfunkel’s artistry and the lasting impact of their collaborative efforts
