Emily they're from the northumbrian dialect. Sair Fyeld means in modern parlance "I'm past it or knackered". The singer of the song is an old man reaching the end of his life and growing more feeble. The version I know, and we sing on our Cd "Not Fooling Anyone" has an extra verse and is as follows:-

The chorus is the same as already written except it is sair fyeld now, not noo. The first verse is as written previously. The next verse is:

When aw was young and lusty
Aw could lowp a dyke
(This means to jump a hedge.)
But now aw'm awd an' stiff
Aw can hardly step a syke
(this means I can't walk far)


The extra verse is:

When aw was five and twenty
Aw was brave and bauld(bold)
Now at five and sixty
aw'm byeth stiff and cauld
(I'm both stiff and cold)

The final verse is:

Thus said the auld man
To the oak tree
Sair fyeld is aw
Si aw ken'd thee
(since I knew you)