Johnny Cope Lyrics

Johnny Cope
(Traditional, arranged by Kirk McLeod)Cope sent a message from Dunbar
Saying Charlie meet me if you dare
And I'll learn you the art of war
If you'll meet me in the morningHey, now Johnny are you wailin' yet
And are your drums a beatin' yet
If you're walkin' I would wait
You're goin' to the coals in the morningWhen Charlie looked the letter upon
He drew his sword his scabbard from
Follow me my merry men
And we'll meet Johnny Cope in the morningHey, now Johnny are you wailin' yet
And are your drums a beatin' yet
If you're walkin' I would wait
You're goin' to the coals in the morningWhen Johnny Cope he heard of this
He thought it wouldn't be amiss
To have a horse in readiness
To flee far away in the morningGo no Johnny get up and run
The highland 'pipes are making a din

It's better to sleep in a hail skin
It will be a bloody morningWhen Johnny Cope to Dunbar came
He asked of him, "where's all your men?"
They'll confound me again and again
For I left them all in the morningHey now Johnny you weren't too late
To come with news of your own defeat
And leave your men in such a state
So early in the morning.