Cinema '76: Illustrated Transcript with Audio
That way to Deborah Sampson
"Allan McLane"
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Source: Ray Dashner Archives 2007 All Rights Reserved
Allan McLane,
Was always collecting
information; Allan McLane
New he's here, now he's there, Allan McLane was everywhere.
Using a horse for
transportation, Allan McLane,
When the Revolution started there was no cavalry.
They had no scouts
for the whereabouts
of the Redcoat enemy.
So, without a word to warn
them, no one to put them wise,
The officers were regularly
taken by surprise
Not 'til half the nation
was in enemy hands
Did the army start to send
out reconnoitering bands
Led by a bright young captain who became the British bane.
Alas, his name is clean
forgotten: Allan McLane
The eyes and the ears of the new born nation, Allan McLane
Was always collecting
information, Allan McLane.
New he's here, now he's there, Allan McLane was everywhere.
Using a horse for
transportation, Allan McLane
When the Army sought enlistments, he got ninety-four alone.
Their bounty, he paid personally with money of his own.
When there was no wool for
clothing, and uniforms were few
His wife ran up some breeches from a tablecloth or two.
When the Army's food supply was practically nil
He considered it a challenge to his foraging skill.
He got five hundred cattle
and fifteen hundred hogs,
Two hundred head of horses
And a few trailing dogs.
The eyes and the ears of the new-born nation, Allan McLane,
Was always collecting
information, Allan McLane.
New he's here, now he's there, Allan McLane was everywhere.
Using a horse for
transportation, Allan McLane.
Though the British captured Philly, he knew their every plan.
His loyal spies,
like a thousand eyes,
reported what they'd scan
When the Army sought the
lay-out of an irksome
Redcoat fort,
He'd get inside and look
around and hand in his report.
If the fleet of France would
blockade Chesapeake Bay,
Hopes were high that we
would see a victory day.
He took a ship and sought out
the Admiral of their fleet
Who said "Oui, Oui!
To Yorktown ...
And Cornwallis' defeat!"
The eyes and the ears of the new-born nation, Allan McLane,
Just like a radar
installation, Allan McLane.
New he's here, now he's there, Allan McLane was everywhere.
Using a horse for
transportation, Allan McLane.
