Poem by Adam Skirving

Johnnie Cope

Cope sent a challenge frae Dunbar
Sayin “Charlie meet me an’ ye daur
An’ I’ll learn ye the airt o’ war
If ye’ll meet me in the morning.” 

Chorus
O Hey! Johnnie Cope are ye waukin’ yet?
Or are your drums a-beating yet?
If ye were waukin’ I wad wait
Tae gang tae the coals in the morning. 

When Charlie looked the letter upon
He drew his sword and scabbard from
Come, follow me, my merry men
And we’ll meet Johnnie Cope in the morning.  

Chorus

Now Johnnie, be as good as your word
Come, let us try baith fire and sword
And dinna flee like a frichted bird
That’s chased frae its nest i’ the morning. 

Chorus

When Johnnie Cope he heard o’ this
He thocht it wouldna be amiss
Tae hae a horse in readiness
Tae flee awa in the morning. 
 
Chorus

Fye now, Johnnie, get up an’ rin
The Highland bagpipes mak’ a din
It’s better tae sleep in a hale skin
For it will be a bluidie morning.  

Chorus

When Johnnie Cope tae Dunbar cam
They speired at him, “Where’s a’ your men?”
“The de’il confound me gin I ken
For I left them a’ in the morning.”
  
Chorus

Now Johnnie, troth ye werena blate
Tae come wi’ news o’ your ain defeat
And leave your men in sic a strait
Sae early in the morning.  

Chorus

In faith, quo Johnnie, I got sic flegs
Wi’ their claymores an’ philabegs
Gin I face them again, de’il brak my legs
So I wish you a’ good morning.  

Chorus

1. Tranent Muir. Battle of Prestonpans 21st September 1745

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