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North-east church will highlight Doric works in First World War commemoration

Gordon Hay has  written about his late friend and mentor, Robbie Shepherd.
Gordon Hay has written about his late friend and mentor, Robbie Shepherd.

There are many commemorations to mark the centenary of the end of World War I across the north east in the days ahead.

But Longside Parish Church has organised a memorial with a difference, given that large parts of their concert will be in Doric.


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Their WWI Reflections event on November 16 will feature a variety of songs and poems – most of which were written in Doric – and includes works by Charles Murray, Mary Symon, George Abel, Jean Baxter and Siegfried Sassoon.

And a male voice quintet from the choir will temporarily become members of the German army to perform from the songs from the other side of the trenches.

The programme has been devised by the church choirmaster, Gordon Hay, who has published Doric translations of such works as the New Testament and Charles Dickens’ Pickwick Papers and Handel’s Messiah.

Mr Hay, who has also written several prize-winning short stories on Doric, explained why he thought it was important to reflect the language which north-east soldiers would have used a century ago.

He said: “During the conflict and in its immediate aftermath, there was a huge outpouring of poetry describing the atrocious conditions suffered by the men at the front and the feelings of those they had left at home.

“There is a wealth of very moving poetry in Doric, and part of the aim of the concert is to bring a cross section of this excellent writing to a modern audience, 100 years after the cessation of hostilities.

“The selection of poetry gives a very clear understanding of the appalling conditions at the Western Front and the heartbreak suffered by so many wives, mothers, girlfriends who lost a loved one during the conflict.

“We hope that, by the end of the evening, there will be some appreciation of what that whole generation was prepared to undergo for their country.

“The music will be a wide-ranging selection of popular songs from the era, many of which are still well known today, as well as some more poignant reflections on the horrors of war.”

The concert will also include music from piper Pamela Whyte and regimental marches by the choir’s own in-house band.

Ticket sales will go to the Erskine Hospital and the Multiple Sclerosis Society (Scotland). To buy, call Mr Hay on 01779 821206.