The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #111922 Message #2362318
Posted By: Big Tim
10-Jun-08 - 11:12 AM
Thread Name: Folklore: Johnny Cope - what are 'the coals'?
Subject: RE: Folklore: Johnny Cope - what are 'the coals'?
I understand it to mean that if Cope were around ('wauking' - awake), the Jacobite fighter wouldn't go to work in the coalfields around Prestonpans that day but instead would take to the field against General Cope.
It also puzzled me for a long time, so any other interpretations most welcome.