What is johnny cope?

Johnny Cope is a traditional Scottish ballad dating back from the 18th century. It tells the story of John Cope, a British general during the Jacobite rising of 1745, who led a government army against the Jacobites led by Bonnie Prince Charlie. The song describes John Cope as arrogant and overconfident, believing he would easily defeat the Jacobites, but instead, he suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Prestonpans. The ballad has been passed down through generations of Scottish folk music, with various adaptations and variations in lyrics and melodies. It remains a popular and recognizable tune in Scottish music history.