JOHNIE COPE. See p. 168.
Johnson's Museum (1853), vol. iv. p. 220, Ritson's Scottish Songs, ii. 84.
Cope sent a challenge frae Dunbar,
"Charlie meet me, an ye daur,
And I'll learn you the airt of war,
If you'll meet wi' me in the morning."
Hey, Johnie Cope! are ye waking yet?
Or are your drums a-beating yet?
If ye were waking, I would wait
To gang to the coals i' the morning.
When Charlie looked the letter upon,5
He drew his sword the scabbard from,
"Come, follow me, my merry men,
And we'll meet Johnie Cope i' the morning."
Hey, Johnie Cope! &c.
"Now, Johnie, be as good as your word,
Come let us try baith fire and sword,10
And dinna flee like a frighted bird,
That's chased frae its nest i' the morning."
Hey, Johnie Cope! &c.
When Johnie Cope he heard of this,
He thought it wadna be amiss
To hae a horse in readiness,15
To flee awa i' the morning.
Hey, Johnie Cope! &c.
"Fye now, Johnie, get up and rin,
The Highland bagpipes mak a din;
It's best to sleep in a hale skin,
For 'twill be a bluddie morning."20
Hey, Johnie Cope! &c.
When Johnie Cope to Dunbar came
They spear'd at him, "Where's a' your men?"
"The deil confound me gin I ken,
For I left them a' i' the morning."
Hey, Johnie Cope! &c.
"Now Johnie, troth, ye were na blate25
To come wi' the news o' your ain defeat,
And leave your men in sic a strait,
So early in the morning."
Hey, Johnie Cope! &c.