Johnny Cope

Johnny Cope is possibly better known as a song written in 1745 celebrating the defeat of the Government forces under Gen. Sir John Cope by the Jacobite Army of Bonny Prince Charlie at the battle of Prestonpans.

The tune has also been widely used a basis for sets of fiddle variations in Scotland and the North of England and there are several manuscripts with such sets of variations. It has also made its way to Ireland where it is played as a six strain hornpipe.

My own effort, played on Tenor Recorder, is based on a four strain set from a Manuscript from Co. Durham dated about 1850 to which I have added two variations of my own to make a six strain set.