Traditional Scottish Songs
- Queen Mary's Escape from Loch Leven



Robert Allan, the author of this song, was born in 1774 in Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire. His poetic and musical talents were encouraged by Robert Tannahill from nearby Paisley and like his contemporary, he became a weaver by trade.

100 years after his birth, the inhabitants of Kilbarchan decided to erect in his memory a small fountain in Kilbarchan incorporating a likeness of the poet.

The escape of Mary Queen of Scots from her incarceration in Loch Leven Castle has inspired artists, poets and song writers ever since. The "heavy keys" thought to have been used for the escape, were found in Loch Leven several hundred years later.


Queen Mary's Escape from Loch Leven

Put off, put off, and row with speed,
   For now 's the time, and the hour of need!
To oars, to oars, and trim the bark,
   Nor Scotland's queen be a warder's mark!
Yon light that plays round the castle's moat
   Is only the warder's random shot!
Put off, put off, and row with speed,
   For now is the time, and the hour of need!

Those pond'rous keys shall the kelpies keep,
   And lodge in their caverns dark and deep;
Nor shall Lochleven's towers or hall,
   Hold thee, our lovely lady, in thrall;
Or be the haunt of traitors, sold,
   While Scotland has hands and hearts so bold;
Then, steersmen, steersmen, on with speed,
   For now is the time, and the hour of need!

Hark! the alarum-bell hath rung,
   And the warder's voice hath treason sung;
The echoes to the falconet's roar,
   Chime swiftly to the dashing oar.
Let town, and hall, and battlements 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!

Meaning of unusual words:
kelpies = mythical "water devils"
falconet = a type of bird closely related to the falcon.

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