KelticDead Music

Ballad of Impossible Tasks

There have been many variations of the song and the melody

since this tale has been told and played. This ballad was

popular among the musicians and troubadours who

frequented the fairs and festivals. The festival at Scarborough

in England was the longest held faire known lasting over 350

years.

The version of the melody and ballad used by Simon and Garfunkel in 1966 with

the name “Scarborough Faire” was unique in that Garfunkel blended in a “counter”

melody (a canticle) that had an anti-war theme to it. It made the already cryptic

verses even more so, but it made a really great folk tune and song.

I added the melody of that canticle as a separate part in

the arrangement (shown above). One can use that “refrain”

as an interim or ending refrain to be determined by the

player as desired.

I also added a phrase, “And my poor heart betrays me this

time” in the lyrics to refer to her secret wish that she might

“Shaun,

find her true love in time, … just not with the rude cavalier.

That KelticDead

Guy”

Patrick O. Young,

KelticDead Music

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