Meaning of "Scarborough Fair" by Celtic Woman

The lyrics of "Scarborough Fair" convey a sense of yearning and nostalgia for a lost love. The speaker is entrusting a visitor to convey their heartfelt emotions and requests to someone who resides in Scarborough fair, someone who was once their true love. The mention of parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme adds a mystical and symbolic element to the song, perhaps representing the ingredients needed to mend a broken relationship or a magical charm to revive lost love. The repeated phrases indicate the speaker's deep longing and hope for the return of their true love.

The requests made by the speaker, such as the creation of a cambric shirt without seams or needlework and the finding of an acre of land between the salt water and the sea strand, can be seen as symbolic gestures of love. The speaker is not only seeking a physical token of affection but also yearning for a level of dedication and effort from the beloved. The absence of seams and needlework in the shirt could symbolize a desire for a seamless and uncomplicated relationship or a wish for a pure and untarnished love. The quest for an acre of land between the salt water and the sea strand signifies a longing for a place where love can flourish and endure, protected from the elements and the uncertainties of the world.

Overall, "Scarborough Fair" is a poignant and heartfelt plea for the return of a lost love. It taps into universal emotions of longing, nostalgia, and the desire for a rekindling of old flames. The use of repetitive phrases and the inclusion of symbolic elements add depth and complexity to the lyrics, making them resonate with listeners seeking connection and understanding in their own personal experiences of love and loss.