The Diverting History of John Gilpin

The Diverting History of John Gilpin Shewing how he went Farther than he intended, and came safe Home again is a comic ballad by William Cowper written in 1782.

[1] The ballad concerns a draper called John Gilpin who rides a runaway horse.

Cowper heard the story from Lady Anna Austen at a time of severe depression, and it cheered him up so much that he put it into verse.

[3] It was very popular, to the extent that "pirate copies were being sold all across the country, together with Gilpin books and toys.

John Gilpin was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band captain eke was he Of famous London town.