"Let the Wealthy and Great Roll in Splendour and State
I Envy Them Not, I Declare It
I Eat My Own Lamb
My Own Chickens and Ham
I Shear My Own Fleece and I Wear It
I Have Fruits, I Have Flowers
The Lark is My Morning Alarmer
So Jolly Boys Now
Here's God Speed the Plough
Long Life and Success to the Farmer"
This two handled ceramic mug has farm implements and a red banner reading “God Speed the Plough” and on the other side the above poem and another red banner that says “Industry Produceth Wealth.” Around the inside rim is a hops vine. The poem is known as The Farmer’s ‘Arms, The Jolly Farmers or God Speed the Plough.
In the west country of England, cider was a way of life in farming communities. Cider was made on individual farms and kept in 100-gallon kegs. It was drunk from traditional cider mugs that had one to three handles. The extra handle was for passing to mug to another drinker.
Potteries made these ironstone cider mugs with the Farmer’s Arms poem between the 1700s and the early 20th century. Cups, saucers, plates and other pieces also were made with the Farmer’s Arms poem.