Robert Allan, 1774-1841
Mary, Queen of Scots, Escaping from Lochleven Castle (1805) by William Craig Shirreff.
Queen Mary’s Escape from Lochleven Castle
By Robert Allan
Lyrics
Put off, put off, and row with speed,
For now is the time and the hour of need,
To oars, to oars, and trim the bark,
Nor Scotland's queen be a warders mark
Yon light that plays round the Castles moat
Is only the warders random shot
Put off put off and row with speed
For now is the time and the hour of need
Those ponderous keys shall the kelpies keep,
And lodge in their caverns so dark and deep,
Nor shall Lochlevens tower or hall,
Hold thee our lovely lady in thrall;
Or be the haunts of traitors sold,
While Scotland has hands and hearts so bold,
Then onward steersman row with speed,
For now is the time and the hour of need.
Hark! The alarum bell has rung,
The warder's voice has treason sung
The echos to the falconets roar,
Chime sweetly to the dashing oar,
Let tower and hall and battlement gleam,
We steer by the light of the tapers beam
For Scotland and Mary, on, with speed,
Now now is the time and the hour of need.
The lyrics describe the escape of Mary, Queen of Scots from Lochleven Castle on May 2nd 1568, having spent nearly eleven months imprisoned, and having abdicated the crown of Scotland in favour of her infant son James VI. Mary had managed to make friends with some of her captors and was helped by George Douglas, the son of Mary's keeper Sir William Douglas. She was rowed across the loch dressed as a servant girl, from there she would meet up with supporters and ride to Hamilton. Within days 1,000s would flock to her cause, but on May 13th, at the Battle of Langside her army would be defeated by her half-brother, James Stuart, Regent of Scotland. She would flee to England.
Robert Allan was born, 1774, in Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire. His occupation was that of Weaver, and his passion was composing songs and poetry. He was especially a admirer of Robert Burns and had contributed several poetical pieces to the Paisley Burns' Club. On 5th February, 1818, he would be elected an honorary member.
His friend was fellow poet Robert Tannahill, who would encourage him in his composing. A number of his works would be published in the Scottish Minstrel, published by R. A. Smith and several songs would appear in the Harp of Renfrewshire.
Robert Allan was a activist seeking parliamentary reform and political change along with the Radical weavers of Kilbarchan. He spoke at the Radical meeting held at the Relief Church in 1817, and was involved in the demonstrations that took place in Paisley during 1819 and 1820 which would lead to the "Radical War" of 1820.
In 1836 he published a book, Evening Hours : Poems and Songs.
At the bottom of Church Street near where his house once stood, a commemorative well was erected to his memory by Kilbarchan General Society in 1935. Below are some recent photos taken by this contributer.
Wa wadna drink tae oor worthy auld sires??
The following poem by Allan has been given two titles, The Martyr’s Hill or alternatively The Covenanter’s Lament. It is set during the Killing Times, 1660-1688 when the Presbyterian Church of Scotland was outlawed in Scotland, and the Covenanters, those who followed the practices and teachings were forced to attend church gatherings at nightime and in the open air.
There ‘s nae Covenant now, lassie!
There ‘s nae Covenant now!
The Solemn League and Covenant
Are a’ broken through!
There ‘s nae Renwick now, lassie,
There ‘s nae gude Cargill,
Nor holy Sabbath preaching
Upon the Martyrs’ Hill!
It ‘s naething but a sword, lassie!
A bluidy, bluidy ane!
Waving owre poor Scotland,
For her rebellious sin.
Scotland ‘s a’ wrang, lassie,
Scotland ‘s a’ wrang—
It ‘s neither to the hill nor glen,
Lassie, we daur gang.
The Martyrs’ Hill ‘s forsaken,
In simmer’s dusk sae calm;
There ‘s nae gathering now, lassie,
To sing the e’ening psalm!
But the martyr’s grave will rise, lassie,
Aboon the warrior’s cairn;
An’ the martyr soun’ will sleep, lassie,
Aneath the waving fern!
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