Cope sent a challenge frae Dunbar 

Sayin "Charlie meet me an' ye daur 

An' I'll learn ye the airt o' war 

If ye'll meet me in the morning." 



Chor: O Hey! Johnnie Cope are ye waukin' yet? 

Or are your drums a-beating yet? 

If ye were waukin' I wad wait 

Tae gang tae the coals in the morning. 



When Charlie looked the letter upon 

He drew his sword and scabbard from 

Come, follow me, my merry men 

And we'll meet Johnnie Cope in the morning. 



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. 



When Johnnie Cope he heard o' this 

He thocht it wouldna be amiss 

Tae hae a horse in readiness 

Tae flee awa in the morning. 



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 bluidie morning. 



When Johnnie Cope tae Dunbar cam 

They speired at him, "Where's a' your men?" 

"The de'il confound me gin I ken 

For I left them a' in the morning." 



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. 



In faith, quo Johnnie, I got sic flegs 

Wi' their claymores an' philabegs 

Gin I face them again, de'il brak my legs 

So I wish you a' good morning.