Simon and Garfunkel's 1966 recording of "Scarborough Fair" introduced millions of listeners to this traditional English ballad through their distinctive vocal blend and intricate arrangement. The duo's careful attention to harmonic detail and their ability to layer voices created a template for folk-pop interpretation that influenced generations of choral arrangers.
Why we love this
Randy Jordan's setting captures the poetry and emotional restraint of the Simon and Garfunkel original while making it genuinely singable for mixed ensembles. The arrangement respects the original's harmonic sophistication without sacrificing clarity, and the six-part voicing creates natural opportunities for blending and balance work that intermediate choirs actually need.
What to expect
Meditative and wistful, with moments of crystalline beauty in the harmonic resolutions. The piece carries the weight of centuries while feeling immediate and intimate, as though the singer is confiding something precious.
Who it's for
Intermediate to advanced mixed choirs looking for folk repertoire with musical substance. This works beautifully for groups comfortable with divisi voicing and ready to explore how a traditional melody can be reimagined through careful harmonic writing.
How to get the most out of it
Treat the text with the gravity it deserves. This is a plea wrapped in the language of herbs and ailments; find the vulnerability underneath the archaic words.
Balance the divisi sections by having singers listen across voice parts rather than focusing only on their own line. The beauty lives in how the voices interlock.
Keep the tempo measured and walking. Resist the urge to rush; let the harmonic changes breathe and the text land clearly.
How to use it
Pair this with other arranged folk material to create a thematic concert section, or use it as a bridge between classical and contemporary repertoire. The piece also works exceptionally well as a counterpoint to more substantial choral works, giving your program breathing room without sacrificing musical substance.
Skills your students will build
Singing through divisi sections while maintaining phrase shape
Balancing ensemble blend across multiple voice parts
Interpretive choices in folk material with emotional restraint
Connecting archaic or poetic text to musical phrasing
Listening across a six-part harmonic texture
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