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Difference between revisions of "Jack Raker"

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<blockquote>
 
<blockquote>
 
Of Songs and Ballads also he is a maker,<br />
 
Of Songs and Ballads also he is a maker,<br />
And that can he as finely do as Jack Raker.
+
And that can he as finely do as Jack Raker.<br />
 +
Yea, and extempore will he ditties compose; <br />
 +
Foolish Marsias ne’er made the like, I suppose; <br />
 +
Yet must we sing them, as good stuff, I undertake. <br />
 +
As for such a pen-man is well fitting to make.  
 
</blockquote>-from ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Roister_Doister Ralph Royster Doyster]'', Act II. scene 1, a comedy by Nicholas Udall, circa 1522.
 
</blockquote>-from ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Roister_Doister Ralph Royster Doyster]'', Act II. scene 1, a comedy by Nicholas Udall, circa 1522.
  

Revision as of 04:05, 26 September 2017

A generic fictional composer of terrible poetry and bad popular songs; a balladmonger.

Mentioned in several plays, the term was used in the 1500s-1600s.

Of Songs and Ballads also he is a maker,
And that can he as finely do as Jack Raker.
Yea, and extempore will he ditties compose;
Foolish Marsias ne’er made the like, I suppose;
Yet must we sing them, as good stuff, I undertake.
As for such a pen-man is well fitting to make.

-from Ralph Royster Doyster, Act II. scene 1, a comedy by Nicholas Udall, circa 1522.


The term was also used by English poet John Skelton (c. 1463–1529) in his "Speak, Parrot," and "Why come ye not to Court."