Johnny Cope

Cope sent a challenge from Dunbar

"Charlie, meet me an ye dare,

And I'll teach you the art of war

If you meet me in the morning."

Whe Charlie looked this letter upon

He drew his sword his scabbard from,

Said, "Follow me, my merry men,

We'll meet Johnnie Cope in the morning!"

Chorus:

Hey, Johnnie Cope, are you waking yet,

Are your drums a-beating yet?

If you were waking, I would wait

To gang to the coals in the morning.

Now Johnnie, be as good as your word

Come try your faith with fire and sword

And don't flee away like a frightened bird

That's chased from its nest in the morning

When Johnnie Cope he heard of this

He thought it would not be amiss

To have a horse in readiness

To flee away in the morning

(chorus)

Oh Johnnie, now get scamperin'

The Highland bagpipes make a din

It's best to sleep in your whole skin

It'll be a bloody morning.

When Johnnie Cope to Berwick came

The asked of him, "Where are your men?"

"The divil confound me gin I ken,

For I left them all in the morning."

(chorus)