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168 THE BATTLE OP TRANENT-MUIR,
prints are found in The Charmer. (Laing in Johnson's Museum, iv. 189*.)
To Skirving is also attributed with great probability the excellent satirical song of Johnnie Cope, or Cope are you waking yet. The original words are in Eit-son, Scotish Songs, ii. 84: another set at p. 82 : a third, with alterations and additions by Burns, in Johnson's Museum, p. 242. Allan Cunningham once heard a peasant boast that he could sing Johnnie Cope with all its nineteen variations. See Appendix.
The battle took place on the 22d of September, 1745, between the villages of Tranent and Preston-pans, a few miles from Edinburgh. The king's lieutenant-general, Sir John Cope, was disgracefully defeated by the Highlanders under Charles Edward, and nearly all his army killed or taken. The details of the conflict are vividly described in the 46th and 47th chapters of Waverley.
The Chevalier, being void of fear,
Did march up Birsle brae, man, And thro' Tranent, e'er he did stent,
As fast as he could gae, man: While General Cope did taunt and mock, e
Wi' mony a loud huzza, man ; But e'er next morn proclaim'd the cock,
"We heard another craw, man.
The brave Lochiel, as I heard tell,
Led Camerons on in clouds, man; u
The morning fair, and clear the air, |
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