Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536 - 1896]

"Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes" by John Stephen Farmer, presents a collection of songs and rhymes using English slang from the 1500s to the late 1800s. It sheds light on the lively world of slang used by different groups in England, particularly those on the edges of society, as they use creative language to express themselves. The start of the book says cant is a key element to the language of ignored groups proving that there is much more to it than just silliness. The book also talks about how slang grew and how it mirrored the social life and opinions on society back then. Through songs like "A Beggar I'll Be," which idealizes the simple life of a beggar, and "The Beggar's Curse," demonstrating the impact of law and order on the poor, the book paints a picture of how English slang changed over three centuries.