Allons/Allons-y

Question

Could you use just "Allons!" for "Let's go!" if there's no clear destination, or should both "Let's go!" and "Let's go there!" be translated as "Allons-y" ?

Accepted Answer

Bonjour David !
Yes, in the case of La Marseillaise, it's linked to the fact that here, the "cry" is not so much related to a specific destination as to the impetus to go forward.Note however that the use of the nous form in particular is definitely antiquated :)
In a similar way, you can use "Allez !", as a supporter chant for example, which in English would be closer to "Come on!"  :)
Bonne journée !

Answer

Bonjour Joakim !

No, in French you always need to use the verb "aller" with a location = to go *somewhere*.
When in English you can simply imply "where you're going" (I'm going now), in French you have to express it, if only with "y" (J'y vais maintenant).
I've now added a note in the lesson to explain this :)

I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !

Answer

But in La Marseillaise the line goes "Allons enfants de la patrie". No "y" there. Is that bad, or obsolete, usage?

Answer

But in La Marseillaise the line goes "Allons enfants de la patrie". There is no "y". So is that obsolete or incorrect usage?