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McAllum's Lament

from The Enduring Land by Alan Dickson

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about

This song is about a well-known poacher in Glen Tulloch, near Newtonmore, who was found guilty of killing a constable (though this is now disputed) while being arrested, then served 15 years in jail for the crime. From the Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection (1983, Vol. 2).

lyrics

Farewell to the woods and the hills o Strathspey,
To the black woods o Tulloch farewell for aye;
To Nithy's sweet murmur I'll listen no more,
Nor scour the dark forests of gloomy Glenmore.

Farewell to the grouse, to the roe and the deer,
They'll now roam at pleasure, McAllum's not near;
In hunting them down I had my own share,
No keepers who knew me approach me would dare.

Until daring bluecoats my house did assail,
To frighten them off no words would avail,
In an unguarded moment brave King I shot dead,
I was always a lover of powder and lead.

Black, black was the day I first handled the gun,
The powers of hell had already begun,
The scenes of my youth I will ne'er see again,
The prayers of my parents were uttered in vain.

Black, black was the day they first handed me o'er,
To be chained like a dog and remembered no more,
My curse on the lairds, their game laws and all,
They accomplished my ruin and hastened my fall.

All poachers take a warning, be guided by me,
Lay aside your guns while you're able and free,
To enjoy life's blessing and work for your bread,
Of McAllum think sadly long after he's dead.

credits

from The Enduring Land, released July 17, 2016

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Alan Dickson Glasgow, UK

Scottish singer songwriter Alan Dickson was born in Leith but now based in Glasgow. Alan writes about life in Scotland and beyond, mainly of a personal and political nature.

Descended from a Leith docker, he remarks: "as life mimics art I'm just like my grandfather, only he used a rivet gun and I use a guitar."

Among his influences are Robert Burns, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Dick Gaughan. ... more

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