THE BATTLE OF PRESTONPANS

Roy Williamson / Trad
General Cope led frae behind to keep his men in order
When the English ran he was in the van and first across
the border


The Chevalier being void o' fear did march up Birsle
Brae, man
Through Tranent ere he did stent as fast as he could
gae, man
General Cope did taunt and mock wi' many a loud huzza,
man
But ere next morn proclaimed the dawn we heard another
craw, man


The brave Lochiel, as I heard tell, led Camerons on in
clouds, man
The morning fair and clear the air, they loose'd wi'
devilish thuds, man
Doon guns they threw and swords they drew, soon they
chased them off, man
On Seaton Crafts they buffet their chafts and gar'd
them run like daft, man


Now Cadell? dressed in among the rest wi' gun and guid
claymore, man
A gelding grey he rade that day wi' pistols set before,
man
The cause was good, he'd spend his blood before that he
would yield, man
But the night before he left the core and never faced
the field, man


Now Simpson keen to clear his een o' rebels far and
round, man
Did never strive wi' pistols five but galloped wi' the
throng, man
On Soutra Hill there he stood still before he tasted
meat, man
Troth he may brag o' his swift nag that bore him off so
fleet, man


The bluff Dragoon swore blood and 'oons they'd mak' the
rebels run, man
Yet they flee when them they see and winnae fire a gun,
man
They turn'd their back, their foot they brak', terror
seiz'd them a', man
Some wet their cheeks, some filled their breeks and
some for fear did fa', man