Aberdeen businessman and author, Peter Fraser, translated the world's most famous Christian prayer (the Lordâs Prayer) into Doric a few years ago. And good for him. "Mr Fraser.....penned the Doric verse for the cityâs Midstocket Church magazine last year. His translation is proving to be such a big hit that framed copies are flying off the shelves of a city gallery as shoppers search for the perfect gift." (The Press & Journal 12/06/08) Following on from the success of my last detailed study of Aberdeen/north east culture, I feel this prayer makes a useful addition to the canon and will surely be met with a similarly overwhelming response. Here we are: Oor Faither, fa bides in hivven, Weâll aye hae a gweed conceit o ye. Yer croon winna be ill tae fit, Sae yer wye o it maun be the wye o it, Doon by, nae less nor the wye o it in hivven. Gie us oor mait an a pucklie loaf the day, an ilka day. An dinna haud it agin us nor we mak a cuddy o things, Jist as we widna skelp fowk fa chunce their haun agin us. An dinna scunner us wi wyes tae swick, Bit ding doon ony o Aul Nickâs coorseness. Michty me, bit yeâve a haud o aathin, Sae itâs michty you an aa, An aatâs jist rare, Ivnoo an fir ivvermair. Fairly aat, min. Excellent. My favourite lines are: Gie us oor mait an a pucklie loaf the day, an ilka day. An dinna haud it agin us nor we mak a cuddy o things, Jist as we widna skelp fowk fa chunce their haun agin us. And.... Michty me, bit yeâve a haud o aathin. I think it's great. And so do you. Respect our culture.
