“Scarborough Fair” is a timeless folk ballad, beloved for its haunting melody and poetic lyrics. If you’re a beginner guitarist looking for a beautiful and relatively easy song to learn, “Scarborough Fair” is an excellent choice. This tutorial will guide you through the essential Scarborough Fair Guitar Chords and strumming pattern, making it accessible for players of all levels. Get ready to impress yourself and others with this classic tune!
Essential Guitar Chords for Scarborough Fair
You’ll only need to master four basic chord shapes to play “Scarborough Fair” on guitar: Am, Em, D, and G. These are fundamental chords that are frequently used in countless songs, so learning them here will benefit your guitar journey far beyond just this one song. While each chord is straightforward individually, the transition from Am to G might require a little extra practice for beginners. Focus on smooth and quick chord changes to make your playing sound seamless.
Alt: Am guitar chord diagram for Scarborough Fair, A minor chord.
Alt: D major guitar chord diagram, essential for playing Scarborough Fair.
Alt: Em guitar chord diagram, E minor chord for Scarborough Fair tutorial.
Alt: G major guitar chord diagram, G chord shape for Scarborough Fair.
Simple Strumming Pattern for Scarborough Fair
The strumming pattern for “Scarborough Fair” is wonderfully simple, making it ideal for beginners. The song is in 3/4 time, meaning we count in groups of three: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3. For each chord symbol in the Scarborough Fair guitar chord chart below, you’ll play the strumming pattern once. Think of it as a down-down-down or simply downstrokes on each beat to begin with. As you get comfortable, you can explore adding a more nuanced strumming pattern.
Practice Tips for Learning Scarborough Fair
To learn “Scarborough Fair” effectively on guitar, follow these practice steps. It’s tempting to jump straight into playing along, but taking a structured approach will make the process smoother and less frustrating.
Start by practicing the chord changes slowly. Use only downstrokes while counting “1, 2, 3” for each chord. This helps you internalize the rhythm and focus on clean transitions between Am, Em, D, and G. Once you can confidently switch between chords while maintaining the rhythm with downstrokes, you’re ready to incorporate the full strumming pattern. This step-by-step method ensures you build a solid foundation, leading to a more enjoyable and successful learning experience.
d = downstroke
Am Am Em Am Am
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
d d d d d d d d d d d d
Am Am D Am Am
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
d d d d d d d d d d d d
Am Em Am G G
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
d d d d d d d d d d d d
Am G Em Am Am Am Am
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d dScarborough Fair Guitar Chord Chart & Lyrics
Below is the chord chart and lyrics for “Scarborough Fair” to help you play along. For a printable version, you can download the free PDF chord chart provided. Having a physical copy can be handy for practicing anywhere, anytime.
SCARBOROUGH FAIR PRINTABLE CHORD CHART PDFDownload
[Verse 1]
<p>Am Am Em Am Am</p>Are you going to Scarborough fair?
<p>Am Am D Am Am</p>Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
<p>Am Em Am G G</p>Remember me to one who lives there,
<p>Am G Em Am Am Am Am</p>She once was a true love of mine.
[Verse 2]
<p>Am Am Em Am Am</p>Tell her to make me a cambric shirt,
<p>Am Am D Am Am</p>Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
<p>Am Em Am G G</p>Without any seems, nor needlework,
<p>Am G Em Am Am Am Am</p>Then she'll be a true love of mine.Alt: Guitar lesson advertisement card, explore more guitar courses.
[Verse 3]
<p>Am Am Em Am Am</p>Tell her to find me an acre of land,
<p>Am Am D Am Am</p>Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
<p>Am Em Am G G</p>Between the salt water and the sea strand,
<p>Am G Em Am Am Am Am</p>Then she'll be a true love of mine.
[Verse 4]
<p>Am Am Em Am Am</p>Tell her to plough it with a sickle of leather.
<p>Am Am D Am Am</p>Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
<p>Am Em Am G G</p>And bind it all in a bunch of heather,
<p>Am G Em Am Am Am Am</p>Then she'll be a true love of mine.Discover More About Scarborough Fair
“Scarborough Fair” has a rich history and many interesting facts surrounding it. Here are some common questions about the song:
Who has famously covered “Scarborough Fair”?
Many artists have recorded versions of “Scarborough Fair,” but Simon & Garfunkel’s rendition is arguably the most famous. It appeared on their 1966 album “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme” and helped popularize the song globally. Other notable artists who have covered it include Celtic Woman, Sarah Brightman, Hayley Westenra, and Loreena McKennitt, each bringing their unique style to this classic ballad.
When was “Scarborough Fair” written?
The exact origins of “Scarborough Fair” are lost in time. It’s a traditional English ballad, passed down orally for centuries, likely originating in the Middle Ages. Tracing its precise date of creation is therefore impossible, adding to its mystique and timeless appeal.
Who is credited with writing “Scarborough Fair”?
As a traditional folk song, “Scarborough Fair” has no known author. It evolved through oral tradition, with countless singers and musicians contributing to its development over generations. This collective authorship is characteristic of folk music, making it a shared cultural treasure.
Conclusion
Learning to play “Scarborough Fair” on guitar is a rewarding experience. With just a few basic guitar chords and a simple strumming pattern, you can play this beautiful and iconic folk song. Practice the chords and strumming, and soon you’ll be enchanting listeners with your own rendition of “Scarborough Fair.” Happy playing!
