The Battle of Prestonpans The chevalier, being void of fear, Did march up Birsie brae man. Through Tranent, e'er he did stint, As fast as he could gae man. General Cope did taunt and mock, Wi' many a loud hussah, man. But e'er next morn, proclaimed the dawn, We heard aanother craw man. Chorus 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 brave Lochiel, as I heard tell, Led Camerons on in clouds man. The morning fair, and clear the air, They loosed wi' devilish thuds man. Guns they threw and swords they drew, Soon they chased them on man. On Seton crags, they buffed their charts, And guard them run like daft man. Chorus Now Caddel dressed amoung the rest, Wi' gun and guid claymore man. On gelding grey, he rade that day, Wi' pistols set before man. The cause was good, he'd spend his blood, Before that he would yeild man. But the night before, he left the corps, And never faced the field man. Chorus Now Simpson keen, to clear his een, O' rebels far and wrong man. Did never strive, wi' pistols five, But he galloped wi' the throng man. O'er Soutra hill, e'er he stood still, Before he tasted meat man. And he may brag, o' his swift nag, That bore him off sae fleet man. Chorus The buff dragoons swore blood a'noon, They'd mak the rebels run man. Yet they flee, when us they see, And they winna fire a gun man. They turned their back, aboot they brak', Terror seized them a' man. Some wet their cheeks, some filled their breeks, And some for fear did fa' man. Chorus
Music; traditional. Content copyright © 2000 held by the author; Ian Hall.
