Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
Remember me to one who lives there.
She who was a true love of mine.
- Traditional English Ballad
Of course, this traditional English ballad is talking about the town in Yorkshire, England, but what about the Toronto suburb (of the same name)? This part of the city has a very interesting history, which sadly has a bitter aftertaste.
It was the wife of the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada who described the Scarborough Bluffs as "extremely bold". Hence the Simcoes named this plot of land Scarborough because its rolling bluffs reminded them of the town back home. As this romantic tale unravelled, the town was eventually transformed to a suburb of multicultural proportions. What baffles me is that the former home of Mike Myers would be compared to this romantic tale of homesickness and memory.
This Scarborough Fair, in her majesty's dominion, has become somewhat of an eyesore in recent days. What saddens me is the growing amount of crime that has stricken this part of Toronto. It is forever unfortunate that the most culturally autonomous part of the Golden Horseshoe has to be seen in this light.
A number of people propose to build a causeway along the bluffs to alleviate traffic. Seriously, is this even a serious suggestion? Would it be as much of a romantic ballad if Scarborough Fair was held in ye olde North York? Cheh.
