SAIR FYELD HINNY
Sair fyeld hinny, sair fyeld noo.
Sair fyeld hinny, sair fyeld noo.
Sair fyeld hinny, sin' aa kenned thoo.
Aa was young and lusty, aa was fair and clear.
Aa was young and lusty many's a lang year.
Sair fyeld hinny, sair fyeld noo.
Sair fyeld hinny, sin' aa kenned thoo.
When I was five and twenty aa could lowp a dyke.
(… I was brave and bold)
Noo a'm five and sixty aa can barely step a syke.
(…I’m but stiff and cold)
Sair fyeld hinny, sair fyeld noo.
Sair fyeld hinny, sin aa kenned thoo.
Thus spoke the owld man to the oak tree:
Sair fyeld is aa sin' aa kenned thee!
Sair fyeld hinny, sair fyeld noo.
Sair fyeld hinny, sin aa kenned thoo.
A surprise found on a long-forgotten EP of Louis Killen, (Northumbrian Garland; Topic 75; 1962). Apparently published by Bruce and Stokoe in Northumbrian Minstrelsy (1882). The refrain, 'Sair fyeld...', translates as 'sorely felled since I knew you'. 'Hinny' is, of course, a Geordie term of affection - 'mate'(?) To 'lowp a dyke' is to jump a stream. To 'step a syke' means 'take a step', and the whole thing is a lament about getting old.
These lyrics were found by scrolling through http://www.sedayne.co.uk/northernstar.html
The parenthesised words are those transcribed from Louis’ recording. When I have discovered how to include audio in blogs, I'll post that.
The parenthesised words are those transcribed from Louis’ recording. When I have discovered how to include audio in blogs, I'll post that.
The song brings to mind the profound tragedy of my birth in Wallsend ...
Swan Hunter shipyard - likewise 'sair fyeld'!
I was born in what is now a domestic garage somewhere nearby.
Perhaps there's a near-Biblical precedent for this, but they couldn't find any wise men or a virgin in Northumberland!
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