The Book of Scottish Song/Cock up your beaver

by Robert Burns (1759-1796)

For other versions of this work, see Cock up your Beaver.

Cock up your beaver.

[The tune called "Cock up your beaver" is old: it can be traced at least as far back as Playford's "Dancing-Master" published in 1657. Of the original words, the first stanza here given is all that remains: the second stanza was added by Burns for Johnson's Museum. Hogg gives some additional verses in his Jacobite Relics.]

When first my brave Johnnie lad
Came to this town,
He had a blue bonnet
That wanted the crown;
But now he has gotten
A hat and a feather,—
Hey, brave Johnnie lad,
Cock up your beaver!

Cock up your beaver,
And cock it fu' sprush,
We'll over the border
And gi'e them a brush;
There's somebody there
We'll teach better behaviour—
Hey, brave Johnnie lad,
Cock up your beaver!

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