John Byrom

John Byrom was an English poet, hymn-writer, and inventor of a shorthand system, known as Byrom's shorthand. Born on February 29, 1692, in Manchester, England, he was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. Byrom was a contemporary of many British writers and philosophers during the Enlightenment period and was known for his wit and versatility. His hymn "Christians Awake, Salute the Happy Morn" is still popular today. John Byrom passed away on September 26, 1763.

February 29, 1692

September 26, 1763

English

John Byrom

Three Black Crows, The

Two honest tradesmen meeting in the Strand,
One took the other briskly by the hand;
"Hark-ye," said he, "'tis an odd story, this,
About the crows!" "I don't know what it is,"
Replied his friend. "No! I'm surprised at that;
Where I came from it is the common chat;
But you shall hear, an odd affair indeed!
And that it happened, they are all agreed.
Not to detain you from a thing so strange,
A gentleman, that lives not far from 'Change,
This week, in short, as all the alley knows,
Taking a puke, has thrown up three black crows."
"Impossible!" "Nay, but it's really true;
I have it from good hands, and so may you."
"From whose, I pray?" So, having named the man,
Straight to inquire his curious comrade ran.
"Sir, did you tell" relating the affair.
"Yes, sir, I ...

John Byrom

Which Is Which

"God bless the King! God bless the faith's defender!
God bless, no harm in blessing, the Pretender.
But who pretender is, and who is king,
God bless us all, that's quite another thing."

John Byrom