Drummer reacts to "Scarborough Fair / Canticle" by Simon & Garfunkel

[@djfrank68]

Lost in the background "Generals order their soldiers to kill. And to fight for a cause they've long ago forgotten".

[@SWLinPHX]

It is like a "medieval breeze". The light airiness with the harpsichord.

[@markmeyer9707]

At 68 years old, I now realize that I may never have a greater peak experience than at sunset on July 28, 1983. I had gone alone to the S & G outdoor concert near downtown Minneapolis. As dark settled in, I crept closer to the stage, someone passed some to me, and the duo launched into this song. I felt enveloped in bliss. Thank you S & G!

[@corawheeler9355]

Loring Park?

[@markmeyer9707]

@@corawheeler9355 Close. Parade Stadium--across from the old Guthrie and Walker Art.

[@ericarachel55]

I've always thought of this as kind of a "mystical" quality. This is what we grew up with, and perhaps why alot of us "boomers" are jaded toward music today

[@L33Reacts]

I totally see why. The essence and soul in music is gone. The body is still there, but the soul is long gone.

[@jollyrodgers7272]

Music is definitely spiritual - it was given by the Creator, and corrupted by the Evil one.

[@colin2utube]

There still some stunning new material, "Hi Ren" by Ren is an astonishing recent discovery.

[@procopiusaugustus6231]

“Old Friends/Bookends” is a must.

[@kevinmcconnell3641]

I love the song “old friends”, I have for over 50 years!!

[@dalemcmillan7231]

Yes!!!

[@jellyrollnorton]

I loved how they used it at the end of the Central Park concert.

[@franksullivan1873]

One of my favorites.

[@MisterWondrous]

The song is already a timeless jewel, but weaving it together with Canticle raises it to a different octave.

[@PeregrineTravers]

She must have hurt the singer so bad that only if she can make him a shirt with no seams, find an acre of land between the sea and the beach and reap it with a blunt sickle and gather the whole lot in a bunch of heather. Only then will he love again. Beautiful song. I have been to Scarborough in Yorkshire and this song always comes back to me.

[@hackermusic3355]

"And to fight for a cause they've long ago forgotten."

[@edwardthorne9875]

What is a good word for a yearning and nostalgia for a place that never actually existed? There is something in our minds that just wants to go home.

[@glenndespres5317]

Yes…. Yes, yes.

[@sueprator9314]

Simon and Garfunkel grew out of the folk genre. They were a beautiful contrast to much of the hard rock and psychedlia happening at the time. They were the lovely relief pill from the hard driving stuff. Renaissance fairs were popular in the late 60s/70s. Again kind of an outgrowth of folk and folk rock festivals. It was fascinating to experience all of that.

[@L33Reacts]

I've been to the modern Ren fair once and it seemed like folks Just wanted to dress up and get drunk I'd honestly want to live a day like they did back then, just for the experience 😊

[@MoMoMyPup10]

@@L33Reacts I think it would change your life, or at least your perspective on what you see around you. It's always been said that society is a reflection of the music of that generation, and it bears out from before S & G all the way through to today. There was a lot of peace in the air back then, and it wasn't always drug related -- it was usually music related.

[@AirDOGGe]

If I had to choose one word to describe this song it would be "magical".

[@terri2494]

My one word would be “ethereal”.

[@johnnyparis10]

Most amazingly, these are 25 year old musicians who were entranced enough by this ancient song to bring it forward to us in 1966, we who were fortunate enough to grow up at that time. When this was new and fresh it was mezmerizing then - and it is a joy to be re-mesmerized as we listen to it again for the first time with you.

[@carolynschmidt5467]

Again from my generation: beauty of the world and the weary sense of the futility of war. They did Silent Night with a background of Walter Cronkite reading the nightly news regarding Vietnam. I can remember as it faded out Cronkite saying we may be looking at ten more years of war. Thank you for a wonderful reaction video and have a peaceful day.

[@anna9072]

That one was absolutely chilling.

[@vickib5579]

7 O'Clock News / Silent Night

[@HXERkYJclMcKLAWwQW]

It was an anti war song like so many songs in the late 60’s- early 70’s : read the lyrics, two simultaneous verses .

[@charlesharris2749]

When you listen to it again, watch the lyrics version as there are a ton of great lyrics that are hard to catch. Thanks for letting a lot of other people hear one of our classic music masterpieces from my old hippy days.

[@papercup2517]

I'm 71 now, but when I was a a child in 1950s England, Scarborough Fair (under the name 'Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme') was a long poem in my old Mother Goose nursery rhyme book. It had a whole lot more verses, about all the impossible tasks the singer was demanding of his would-be lover, then another whole string of return demands from the would-be lover to him. Like most old folk songs, it's been through many iterations and there may be no identifiable 'correct' version. From generation to generation, they're handed down, sometimes crossing oceans, everyone remembering the words and tune as best they can. Only since the era of audio recording and the industrialisation of the music industry have things like royalties, rights and correct versions and meanings become a thing - for better or worse. Back to Scarborough Fair: some say the lover or the singer is dead, or maybe both are. The herbs mentioned may have been used in the embalming of corpses. True or not, I can tell you that if you want to make a really good (vegetarian) nut roast, a pinch each dried parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme along with a good splash of tamari/ soy sauce gives it that perfect savoury, meaty flavour.. Try it! 🙂

[@ShiverHinge]

S+G were the ones who made me aware of harmony as a kid, and started my lifelong seeking of it in all things. Peace.

[@L33Reacts]

That is a beautiful way to look at it, friend. Thank you for that.

[@martinsmusic1724]

Same here.

[@bearballin]

This song was part of a musical movement in the mid 60s called Baroque Pop. The inclusion of the harpsichord (a Renaissance keyboard) gives the song a hypnotic vibe.

[@jimwilcox2964]

The harpsichord plucks the string as opposed to the piano that strikes the strings

[@PeterOConnell-pq6io]

A song hinting about war, loss, and rememberance from medieval times, recorded before the musical use of the word "cover" even entered our vocabulary. Their interweave of 'Chanticle" with the original is brilliant.

[@sharondavid-melly1498]

1968 was an awful year, MLK murdered in April then Robt Kennedy in June. Chicago Democratic Convention in the fall reigned polic down on antiwar protestors. This song was the best of that year l think. Thank you for this💕

[@stlmopoet]

It makes sense this would take you deep in the past. Scarborough Fair is a centuries old song. They wove Canticle together with it. One of the most beautiful songs ever, and it happens to talk about war. Anti war. I'm now listening to you talk about the very things I'm saying. 🤷‍♂️ 👍 Great review.

[@slocumb1270]

I am 96% English and Scots-Irish by DNA. I swear this song touches something deep in my consciousness with an odd sense of familiarity. I see myself traveling a dirt road with green fields on both sides. Seriously.

[@RGRG3232]

I highly recommend the movie 'The Graduate' if for nothing else than to see how this track fits in. The entire move was quite innovative and somewhat ahead of its time (1967). Truly a movie that deserves all the praise it gets.

[@sueprator9314]

Yes. Lol it would be interesting to hear his reaction.

[@jellyrollnorton]

Huge S&G fan that finally got a chance to see the movie on videotape in the ‘80s. Seeing the movie knowing every word of every song, I thought the music worked well, but not the lyrics (other than this one line - "here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson." Plus I thought there’d be more nature in the movie.

[@Richard2003]

Easily one of the greatest movies of all time.

[@emarjamaa2276]

It’s funny everyone says that from the generation that lived through the 60s but I don’t think it translates well to younger generations. My husband and I are in our late 40s and have never liked it.

[@ArpiChatvideos]

Your pics are fantastic. I am a 71 year old woman and it brings me back to another better time Thank you

[@matto9734]

Don´t wanna spoil the party but that was the time of Vietnam war and Cold War (to name just a few conflicts ;-)

[@Dr3amtime]

I got to traipse around Europe by myself when I was 15, decades ago. I spent the last week in Brugges, Belgium, and there was an international harpsichord event going on. Wandering through a spacious old building of several floors filled people playing old harpsichords was one the most magical, ear opening experiences of my youth.

[@genegarrett3372]

The instruments you're wondering about are the Cembalo and the Harpsichord. McCartney played a Cembalo Confidante off of Egypt Station. Have a good day.

[@sueprator9314]

You quickly became one of my fav reaction young guys. You do a really good job of "getting" the gyst of so many of the older songs. You dont get hung up on over analyzing..probably because you are a musician.

[@L33Reacts]

Thank you Sue, that means the world to me! I really enjoyed getting transported to a different time here. And the harmonies were delicious 😊

[@jimmeltonbradley1497]

Scarborough Fair is an old English folk song. In the UK there was a folk music revival in the late 1960s with some great harmony singing. Paul Simon heard some of this when he toured the UK as a solo artist in the mid 60s and it influenced his subsequent approach to harmony.

[@johnnyparis10]

Remember Fairport Convention ?

[@tdgallagher218]

The 'long version' is actually the original recording repeated twice, connected together by a brief wind instrumental. You're not wrong, it's definitely a mesmerizing tune. On this same LP is a track entitled '7 O'clock News/Silent Night' that deserves a listen--not necessarily a reaction. It's a very effective contrast of a beautifully serene song set against the depressing news of the day, primarily covering the Vietnam War, the trial of Richard Speck-an accused murderer of several student nurses in Chicago, and congressional subcommittee hearings investigating various peace activies against the war. Very surreal tune.

[@johangalician620]

"The 'long version' is actually the original recording repeated twice, connected together by a brief wind instrumental." What a ripoff! :D

[@tdgallagher218]

@johangalician620 It was an arrangement to fill a specific scene in the movie, The Graduate.

[@mimiwiz1]

Hauntingly beautiful, the whimsical, strolling minstrel sound is in sharp contrast to the images of war depicted in the lyrics. Immaculately done by such talented musicians and singers. Great reaction, thanks!

[@mimiwiz1]

LOL, wrote my comments before finishing the reaction, where you echoed my thoughts! 😊 For a COMPLETELY different Paul Simon vibe, listen to Late In The Evening, if you haven't already. Can't sit still for that one! 🎶

[@terri2494]

I would describe this as ethereal. It’s hard to find words to describe it because we so rarely encounter anything like it that most words in our day to day vocabulary seem inadequate to convey what we’re trying to express.

[@Manni59]

Absolutely my favorite Simon & Garfunkel song. One of the most beautiful ballads of about half a dozen in music. It's just wonderful how they combine the two stories with their vocal harmonies.

[@dianegardner7210]

This came out when I was 14 and I was mesmerized by it-so beautiful,mystical, and tragically romantic

[@rayname908]

The mix of old harpsichord folk song and new antiwar lyrics reminds me of David Bowie singing Peace On Earth with Bing Crosby singing Little Drummer Boy. With Disney & IHeartRadio owning every radio station musical creativity is unheard of these days.

[@texasca9753]

I love that you research songs. Context can add so much to understanding and appreciating a song.

[@Dr3amtime]

The Graduate has one of the best soundtracks ever.

[@SpaceCattttt]

This song is the very definition of haunting and hypnotic. It's a fairly simple arrangement, but it goes to show just how much can be done with very little.

[@greggibson33]

Do they create beautiful, complex, deeply emotional to the core music now? Do they have the ability to create harmonies that bring shivers? Do lyrics rise to the level of pure poetry and touch your soul?? Like a good attorney, I already know the answers to these questions. Just wondering if others do as well.

[@primevalprimeval]

The word you were searching for is ethereal.

[@patrickcampion7966]

It was, and still is, hypnotic. Paul Simon is a musical genius.

[@annewoodard6803]

Anyone else sing this in High School choir in the 70’s? 😁💖

[@Linda-y9h]

Thanks for that wonderful reaction...I needed that today. You're awesome. ❤😊

[@MrPolleyr]

Hey L33, great reactions my brother. As an old rocker I want you to check out one of my all time favourite bands….Humble Pie…..from the double live album, Rockin the Fillmore, the song….”I don’t need no Doctor”. I know you are going to love it.😎🎶🎸🇨🇦

[@kweile4339]

Yes! Love this song and your reaction. 50 years ago the Canticle portion caught me and I'm sure I had the same expression on my face. It got me thinking too. Yes, we strive to be better.

[@kathleenmayhorne3183]

He is asking for his old love to do a series of impoossible tasks. They are repeating a poem about war, at the same time. You will learn more from the lyrics Old nglish song.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

That's the point, to lose oneself in the soul of the music. It only lasts as long as the band plays. 🎶🙏🎶

[@kathybwell]

A most enchanting song!! Those layered lyrics sung in perfect harmony transport me to mystical medieval times.

[@SWLinPHX]

They don't always sing "Scarborough Fair" with "Canticle" interwoven. The former is an Old English poem and the latter is a commentary on war, specifically in the time of the Vietnam War.

[@edgarsnake2857]

Terrific cut displays Paul and Art's wonderful singing style. Thanks for the thoughtful reaction.

[@connieb4372]

Lee, you really should watch The Graduate. It is a campy, different movie that has a great soundtrack. Hope the day gets better. Congrats on the channel.. you are really putting out the videos. Take care all!

[@voodoochild2968]

It was also great in the movie the graduate,just fit really well

[@superchargenurse]

You need to listen to this at sunset at filey bay

[@tomenrico6199]

This song was the title track from a 1966 album by Simon & Garfunkel. It was the very first record album I ever bought myself right after it was released. Up until then, I had acquired a stack of 45 RPM singles, but no albums. It was a great place to start.

[@EpicFrozenMoment]

That trance has got to be a dopamine thing. Probably hits a MHZ sweet spot too.

[@58BURST]

I believe the flute sound, is a wooden recorder. Another great reaction! Positive vibes to you brother. 🎸

[@Shari225]

I think so too. I was going to mention it, but you did, so I'll just second it. That is a recorder.

[@KathyMaKB]

You got it. A back in time sound. I always thought of 1700's 1800's sound. Maybe that's rubbish to a young man like you but, that's how I always felt hearing it. A child of the 60's and 70's here. Thank you for your reaction and thank you for being respectful. New fan. I've Subscribed and hit the like button. *)

[@shemanic1]

Beautiful music, we were so lucky to have music like this in our lives.

[@dawntucker5052]

One of those songs. .. that just never leave you ❤

[@alrivers2297]

Such a unique song. Beautiful. Mrs. Robinson is another classic one from The Graduate. I Am a Rock and The sound of Silence are a couple of other great ones

[@jaycorby]

L33 - Remember you're an 'old' soul - these sound memories are rooted in another place and time. You are triggered when the chords and harmonies and strings, not to mention voices, are played as soft breezes on cool summer evenings in a faraway land.

[@jaycorby]

L33 - There is another song that bears some resemblance to this one in the 'feels' department. Believe it or not it's from 1966, and it's by The Rolling Stones. It's titled Lady Jane; give it a private listen, you'll see what I mean.

[@floorticket]

My dad's about two years older than S&G. I grew up with this stuff and jazz, classical, folk, Jesus Christ Superstar, Neil Diamond ... Willie Nelson. He even grew to like The Eagles. You'll dig "Cecilia" when you get around to it.

[@petejp1]

My favorite simon and Garfunkel song. Absolutely breathtaking vocals

[@famat161]

It's the most beautiful thing I have ever heard as well. Some of the ambiguity can be answered if you read the lyrics of the two songs side-by-side.

[@thunderspike1892]

Originally dates back to the mid 17th Century. Has been done in several different versions over the 18th century. Art Garfunkel did a song called Bright Eyes which was used in the animated movie Watership Down. Great stuff

[@smffeb58]

There is a homemade video, same long version that has medieval images, as well as lyrics. It is very well done, also affording the insight of the lyrics, which are extremely poignant. Both S & G say their favorite song of their catalog together is America. It is my favorite, along with Hazy Shade of Winter. Songs that have multiple covers, usually are best, by the original artists. This song was never covered, because anyone else’s try would pale in comparison.

[@mojorider8455]

it's such a beautiful finger picked guitar riff , Paul Simon is musical genius

[@cindydegraaff5083]

Paul Simon really is a musical genius. His arrangements were/ are very original and unique and his songwriting amazing. Art Garfunkle’s voice is just so smooth and mesmerizing, I can totally relate to your feeling of being transported. I’ve been a fan since I was a child (50 years now).

[@Richard2003]

See the movie The Graduate. They wrote the songs for it including this one.

[@AntheaStanley-hl1wf]

Listen to it in the dark with earphones. Beautiful

[@craigreid7178]

For some reason this song always reminds me of Christmas. Maybe it was released at Christmas time. It is my favorite S&G song.

[@dalemcmillan7231]

Stunning Masterpiece ❤

[@mynameispaul0530]

check out movie "The Graduate" with this song featured in it.

[@kidpoker007]

I was born 1960 recall hearing this on the radio and my older brother had this album as well And of course the great movie The Graduate

[@Frankincensedjb123]

If you listen closely, there is great juxtaposition between the peaceful lyrics of blissful love and serene landscapes, mixed in with the bloody, cold harsh reality of the world at war. The intertwining vocal melodies, along with the intertwining of the message is beyond genius. Worth several listens.

[@TomGorham]

The man singing was killed in the war. That's why he needs an acre of land for burial.

[@billdomitilli8125]

"Ethereal" is the word you're looking for, I believe. Cheers, --bd

[@jellyrollnorton]

I envy your first-time experience with this one, And in headphones. First time I heard it was on a tinny a.m. car radio at night (and it was still magical).

[@littleaeros4063]

After over fifty years. It still mesmerizes me

[@kevinsattler6603]

Been on my playlist since the beginning. Timeless

[@scottyhotty1003]

Loving these pics for older classics It's very enjoyable to watch you react and enjoy them as well❤

[@denniszimmerman1279]

Also highly recommend The Boxer and I Am a Rock

[@patrickscutella836]

Do some research on the Folk music area of the 50s and 60s. It’s ties into a lot that happened to music even today. Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie, Tim Harden and so on. Even Bob Dylan going electric at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 was a huge controversy.

[@carolynschmidt5467]

Yes.. protest songs...the weavers...union organizing songs.

[@dawnschneider187]

Truly, a beautiful song, love your reactions.

[@lorierush6561]

I fell in love with this song and the wonderful duo who sing the song back when I was a teenager. I don't think it is a coincidence that I also feel in love with The Lord of the Rings and Narnia books at the same time. It takes you to another world indeed.

[@brucekislow1690]

Lee, you have just witnessed the pure musical genius that is Paul Simon, this song more than any other really showcases Paul creativity.

[@GlennEdgington]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written.

[@richardyoung6214]

What a great reaction man! Thank you so much for sharing that with us. Have you ever done Year of the Cat by Al Stewart? That's another dream like cut. And it's all about analog baby! 😉

[@stevecash9761]

One thing about reactions, people seem to think things sound good "for being made in 1966 or whatever". There seems to be a pride in today's music quality, meaning the technical digital side of it, yet listen to today's actual music compared to the 60s/70s, there's the real comparison on quality.

[@deechatterton5828]

There as both a glockenspiel (left channel) and a harpsichord (right channel). It's almost impossible to be analytical about music like this. It is really regrettable that these two men couldn't get along better. Yes, Paul Simon is the writing genius of the pair but Art Garfunkel is a terrific producer and arranger. While Simon's solo catalog is excellent, can you imagine what, for instance, Graceland would have sounded like with Garfunkel around? We'll never know...

[@hudahekizzy8402]

Got all choked up I did. Thanks for the reaction. S&G has been one of my staples for about 50 years now.

[@KennyRansom-l5k]

Keep in mind . From a technical view point , for 1966 the sound quality & production of this song is phenomenal . I have great memories of being one of the estimated 400,000 that attended their 1981 Central Park concert . You should check out that show's video online , it was filmed for HBO I think or might have even been televised . Anyway the show covered the best of their catalogue and their backing band was excellent too .

[@scottyhotty1003]

This is an old medieval song Going Back hundreds and hundreds of years so the song writing credits is not really Simon and Garfunkel at all Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme are considered to have mystical properties I've heard also that this might possibly be written from the perspective of someone dying on the battlefield telling this to a comrade as all the tests are impossible to complete (for his girl) if you listen closely to the lyrics to spare the True Love of Mine the heartbreak of his death.❤

[@SAM-dg3vd]

harpsichord. plucks the strings which gives it that ethereal delicate sound predates the piano which strikes the keys with felt-covered hammers -- you probably knew that already. i just find this song magical

[@wrorchestra1]

They performed this as a trio with Andy Williams on his show. Perfect blending of voices. Guitar, bass, harpsichord, glockenspiel and wooden flute. They didn't need much to make a classic British folk song into an absolute masterpiece. Mixed in with the counterpoint of Paul Simon's "Canticle" almost turns it into Bach.

[@marianfoley5821]

They do this at The Concert in Central Park but without the Canticle part. It's beautiful there too.

[@hopeklemann1]

I always look forward to your videos.... you Make me smile

[@BarryBrookens]

In 1966 I was 16 years old and listening to Simon and Garfunkle, who were fantastic and ahead of the curve.

[@mattmelcher4435]

Simon and Garfunkel's best tune great medieval feel

[@billmckee1123]

I think that is a Harpsichord? keyboard in the background.. yes hypnotizing and mesmerizing... You should react to the movie The Graduate if you've never seen it... it's fantastic, and Simon and Garfunkel wrote several songs for that movie including, Sound of Silence, Scarborough Fair, and Mrs. Robinson! Cool movie!!

[@TheJm129]

An under the radar song from S&G is "Old Friends". The track before it they recorded voices from old people, imparting some life's lessons. Then the song begins, putting life/aging in perspective. Once you get older, you might look back at the wisdom and poetry from it.

[@peterhodges9113]

S & G take me back to maybe some of my first memories. My mom is playing this on the eight track in the car. Not sure where we're going but it's raining. She past a while ago and I struggle to listen to this without crying.... Thanks