Simple Easy Classic Folk Songs

[Alan Desmond]

There's been minimal new posts in Forum lately, so thought I'd contribute.

I like Paul Simon, Bob Dylan & John Denver's music. (also like Blues) If anyone would like to play a simple old English folk song Scarborough Fair, I've attached  chord sheet from my song book+my own work sheet that gives slightly diff'nt chords & position play address that I like.  Of course you can play the melody from other A key notes (if you prefer. A lot of songs I do now I pick the first few notes that fit the lyrics (you'll see from wrk sht) end phrases in chords gives it body.    This song is a good example to put the chords on a looper and play melody over it. Anyone oldies who likes Paul Simon's stuff will remember they did it I'm 1970's.

For any others who like Blues you will see I posted a work sheet for a Bill Withers song I've done for myself.  Anyone who gives my arrangements a go please leave comments for any ideas embellishments you may come up with.  I'm always looking for new ideas. We're all learning as we go all the time, that's guitar.

 

 

 

[Fred Soukup]

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

Tell her to make me a cambric shirt

(On the side of a hill in the deep forest green)
Parsely, sage, rosemary & thyme
(Tracing a sparrow on snow-crested ground)
Without no seams nor needlework
(Blankets and bedclothes a child of the mountains)
Then she'll be a true love of mine
(Sleeps unaware of the clarion call)
Tell her to find me an acre of land

(On the side of a hill, a sprinkling of leaves)
Parsely, sage, rosemary, & thyme
(Washed is the ground with so many tears)
Between the salt water and the sea strand
(A soldier cleans and polishes a gun)
Then she'll be a true love of mine

Tell her to reap it in a sickle of leather

(War bellows, blazing in scarlet battalions)
Parsely, sage, rosemary & thyme
(Generals order their soldiers to kill)
And to gather it all in a bunch of heather
(And to fight for a cause they've long ago forgotten)
Then she'll be a true love of mine

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

[Alan Desmond]

Thanks Fred. Having read those verses you added, I recognized some of them, that's great.  Of course that song go back into very old history. Only Paul Simon & Art G version in 1970's popularized it. Think many songs, my guitar song books where they miss some verses. But never mind, Looks like a few people may have tried it. So worthwhile me posting it.

Cheers now

[Fred Soukup]

It is a canticle and the original had women and men parts