The Bus Driver's Prayer, also known as the Busman's Lord's Prayer, is a parody of the Lord's Prayer that takes the bus driver around Greater London (while avoiding further destinations). The words are apocryphal and have been around since 1960 at least. The word play, making extensive use of puns on English place names, is typical of English humour. A Metropolitan police officer's version, entitled "The Law's Prayer", has also been devised.
Video Bus Driver's Prayer
Ian Dury's version
It was recorded by Ian Dury, originally on the soundtrack album Apples (1989) and later on The Bus Driver's Prayer & Other Stories (1992). Dury used only those place names that refer to locations in London.
Below is a version predating Dury's recording, with alternate versions given in the notes.
Maps Bus Driver's Prayer
Earlier version
An earlier version, undated and possibly apocryphal, is provided by Nancy Lyon. This undated version is linked with the development of stations on the London Underground
The Law's Prayer version
Our sergeant, who art in Hendon, Harrow Road be thy name,
Thy Kingston Coombe, thy Wimbledon
In Erith as it is in Hendon,
Give us this day our daily Brent and forgive us our train passes
as we forgive those who Thames Path against us.
Lead us not into Thames Ditton but deliver us from Ewell
For thine is the Kingston, the Tower and the Hornsey,
For Epsom and Esher,
Amen Corner
See also
- List of songs about London
- Word play
- Puns
- Place name origins
Notes
External links
- This gives and describes the locations in Dury's version BBC The Guide to Life, The Universe and Everything.
Nancy Lyon's version] in her article, "Down the Drain"
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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