Cope sent a message from Dunbar

sayin Charlie meet me if you dare

and I'll learn you the art if war

if you'll meet me in the morning



Hey, now johnny are you wailin yet

and are your drums a' beatin yet

if your walkin I would wait

you're goin to the coals in the morning



When 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 morning



Hey, now johnny are you wailin yet

and are your drums a' beatin yet

if your walkin I would wait

you're goin to the coals in the morning



When 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 morning



Go now Johnny get up and run

the highland pipes are makin a din

it's better to sleep in a hail skin

it will be a bloody morning



When Johnny Cope to Dunbar came

he asked of him,