The name can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when the northern English coastal town of Scarborough was an important meeting place for merchants from all over England. A 45-day large trade fair, called the Scarborough Fair, began there on August 15 every year, which was very long for the time.

The song was probably written in the 16th or 17th century. It is possible that it originated from the Scottish folk ballad The Elfin Knight. After it was passed down from town to town, it was changed several times. So it happens that dozens of stanzas exist today, but mostly only a few are sung.

I have arranged it here according to the version by Simon and Garfunkel, but added some changes in the harmonic flow and in the rhythm.