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Johnny Cope

from Fortune's Road by Back of the Moon

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about

A satirical song poking fun at Lieutenant-General Sir John Cope's pre-emptive retreat from the Battle of Prestonpans in September 1745. This is a version FIndlay learned from Davy Steele who gave him a great deal of encouragement at the beginning of his musical career.

lyrics

Johnny Cope
Cope sent a chaillenge frae Dunbar
Saying, "Charlie, meet me an' ye daur
An' I'll learn ye the airt o' war
If ye gang tae the coals in the morning"
When Charlie viewed the letter upon
He drew his sword his scabbard from
Sayin', "Gang wi' me, my merry men
And we'll meet Johnny Cope in the morning"
Chorus:
Hey, Johnny Cope, are ye a-waukin' yet?
Or are your drums a-beating yet?
Gin ye were waukin' I wad wait
Tae gang tae the coals in the morning
When Johnny Cope, he heard o' this
He thocht it wadna be amiss
Tae hae a horse in readiness
Tae flee frae the coals in the morning
Well, fie noo, Johnny, get up an' rin
The Heilan bagpipes mak' their din
Ye're best tae sleep in yer ain hale skin
It will be a bloody morning
When Johnny Cope tae Dunbar cam
They speired him, "Whaur's a' yer men?"
"The de'il confound me gin I ken
I left them a' in the morning"
Well, fie noo, Johnny, ye werena blate
Tae come wi' news o' yer ain defeat
And leave yer men in sic a strait
Sae early in the morning
Oh faith, quo' Johnny, I got sic flegs
Frae their claymores and their philabegs
If I face them again, de'il brak my legs
I'll bid ye's a' good morning

credits

from Fortune's Road, released March 5, 2021
Gillian Frame- Fiddle, Vocals
Simon McKerrell- Vocals
Findlay Napier- Guitar, Lead Vocals
Hamish Napier- Piano, Flute, Vocals
Duncan Lyall- Double Bass

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about

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Back of the Moon Glasgow, UK

Scottish folk quartet which featured Findlay Napier, Gillian Frame, Hamish Napier, Ali Hutton and Simon McKerrell. Best Up and Coming Band and Best Band and nominated twice for album of the year at Scots Trad Music Awards. Runner up BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards. Multiple tours of US, Canada, Europe and UK. Inspiration to many current top folk bands and artists. ... more

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