Lyrics The Corries

The Corries

Battle Of Prestonpans

THE BATTLE OF PRESTONPANS

Roy Williamson / Trad

General Cope led frae behind to keep his men in order

When the English ran he was in the van and first across

the border

The Chevalier being void o' fear did march up Birsle

Brae, man

Through Tranent ere he did stent as fast as he could

gae, man

General Cope did taunt and mock wi' many a loud huzza,

man

But ere next morn proclaimed the dawn we heard another

craw, man

The brave Lochiel, as I heard tell, led Camerons on in

clouds, man

The morning fair and clear the air, they loose'd wi'

devilish thuds, man

Doon guns they threw and swords they drew, soon they

chased them off, man

On Seaton Crafts they buffet their chafts and gar'd

them run like daft, man

Now Cadell? dressed in among the rest wi' gun and guid

claymore, man

A gelding grey he rade that day wi' pistols set before,

man

The cause was good, he'd spend his blood before that he

would yield, man

But the night before he left the core and never faced

the field, man

Now Simpson keen to clear his een o' rebels far and

round, man

Did never strive wi' pistols five but galloped wi' the

throng, man

On Soutra Hill there he stood still before he tasted

meat, man

Troth he may brag o' his swift nag that bore him off so

fleet, man

The bluff Dragoon swore blood and 'oons they'd mak' the

rebels run, man

Yet they flee when them they see and winnae fire a gun,

man

They turn'd their back, their foot they brak', terror

seiz'd them a', man

Some wet their cheeks, some filled their breeks and

some for fear did fa', man