Hello! Below you'll find my "Scarborough Fair" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This timeless traditional ballad sounds beautiful with solo piano and voice. In the lesson video, I build it up in three levels of difficulty, so even if the full version with left-hand arpeggios feels too challenging for right now, you'll be able to learn a simple and great sounding version that suits your needs.
Enjoy!
Scarborough Fair Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Scarborough Fair:
Scarborough Fair Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| Em | Em | D | Em | Em |
| Em | Em | D | Em | Em |
[Verse 1]
Em D Em
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
G Em G A Em
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Em G D
Remember me to one who lives there
Em D Em | Em | D | Em | Em |
She once was a true love of mine
[Verse 2]
Em D Em
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt
G Em G A Em
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Em G D
Without no seams nor needlework
Em D Em | Em | D | Em | Em |
Then she'll be a true love of mine
Em D Em
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt
G Em G A Em
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Em G D
Without no seams nor needlework
Em D Em | Em | D | Em | Em |
Then she'll be a true love of mine
[Verse 3]
Em D Em
Tell her to find me an acre of land
G Em G A Em
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Em G D
Between the salt water and the sea strands
Em D Em | Em | D | Em | Em |
Then she'll be a true love of mine
Em D Em
Tell her to find me an acre of land
G Em G A Em
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Em G D
Between the salt water and the sea strands
Em D Em | Em | D | Em | Em |
Then she'll be a true love of mine
[Verse 4]
Em D Em
Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather
G Em G A Em
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Em G D
And gather it all in a bunch of heather
Em D Em | Em | D | Em | Em |
Then she'll be a true love of mine
Em D Em
Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather
G Em G A Em
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Em G D
And gather it all in a bunch of heather
Em D Em | Em | D | Em | Em |
Then she'll be a true love of mine
[Verse 5]
Em D Em
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
G Em G A Em
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Em G D
Remember me to one who lives there
Em D Em | Em | D | Em | Em |
She once was a true love of mine
Em D Em
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
G Em G A Em
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Em G D
Remember me to one who lives there
Em D Em | Em | D | Em | Em |
She once was a true love of mine
Verse Progression Timing
| Em | Em | D | Em | Em |
| G | Em | G A - | Em | Em | Em | Em |
| Em | G | G | D | D |
| Em | D | D | Em | Em | D | Em |
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Scarborough Fair Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Scarborough Fair" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Scarborough Fair" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
