It is thought the nursery rhyme ‘Little Jack Horner’ dates back to the 18th century. The first time it appears in print is in Henry Carey’s 1725 satire ‘Namby Pamby’ – although the lyrics differ slightly.
Who was Jack Horner?
There is thought that the rhyme was inspired by – and written in satire as a response to – the dishonest actions of Thomas Horner in the Tudor period.
‘Little Jack Horner’ lyrics
Little Jack Horner
Sat in the corner,
Eating his Christmas pie;
He put in his thumb,
And pulled out a plum,
And said, “What a good boy am I!”
Main image: Illustration of Little Jack Horner by William Wallace Denslow/Creative Commons