Henrik Norbeck's Song Lyrics

Johnnie Cope

Sheet Music (and more information about this song)

Cope sent a challenge frae Dunbar,
Sayin "Charlie meet me an' ye daur,
An' I'll learn you the art o' war,
If ye'll meet me in the morning."

Chorus:
O Hey! Johnnie Cope are ye waukin' yet?
Or are your drums a-beating yet?
If ye were waukin' I would wait,
Tae gang tae the coals in the morning.

When Charlie looked the letter upon,
He drew his sword the scabbard from,
"Come, follow me, my merry men,
And we'll meet Johnnie Cope in the morning."

Chorus

Now Johnnie, be as good as your word,
Come, let us try baith fire and sword,
And dinna flee like a frichted bird,
That's chased frae its nest i' the morning.

Chorus

When Johnnie Cope he heard o' this,
He thought it wouldna be amiss,
To hae a horse in readiness,
To flee awa' in the morning.

Chorus

Fye now, Johnnie, get up an' rin,
The Highland bagpipes mak' a din,
It's better tae sleep in a hale skin,
For it will be a bloody morning.

Chorus

When Johnnie Cope tae Dunbar cam,
They spiered at him, "Where's a' your men"
"The De'il confound me gin I ken,
For I left them a' in the morning."

Chorus

Now Johnnie troth, ye werena blate,
Tae come wi' news o' your ain defeat,
And leave your men in sic a strait,
Sae early in the morning.

Chorus

"In faith", quo Johnnie, "I got sic flegs
Wi' their claymores and their philabegs,
Gin I face them again, de'il brak my legs,
So I wish you a' good morning."

Chorus

Comp: Adam Skirving (1719-1803)

Discography: The Corries

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