Seems to me changing from "relope" to "alope" because "alope" is in the dictionary is the ultimate act of pedantry. Who ever uses "alope" in everyday speech?

The Coppers do funny things with words. "To David's City, sin on earth"? That doesn't mean anything, but it sounds great! It's perfect - don't change it. And the Copper words to Admiral Benbow often don't make sense at all, but they sing so much better than the textbook words. Who cares what they mean? Who cares about the captains who ran away?