Speed the plow

I pulled my "plow" mug, out of the china cabinet during the winter and filled it with a gift of a bright yellow primrose. Now that my yellow primroses are actually in bloom in the garden and planting weather has finally arrived, it seems appropriate to share this traditional paen to farmers. It's a popular sentiment that was often printed on two-handled mugs with the words on one side and agricultural images on the reverse. It supposedly originated around the 15th century when it was a tune sung by laborers. Some versions spell it "plough."

Let the wealthy and great
Roll in splendor and state
I envy them not, I declare it
I eat my own lamb
My own chickens and hams
I shear my own fleece and I wear it

I have lawns, I have bowers
I have fruits, I have flowers
The lark is my morning alarmer
So jolly boys now
Here's God speed the plow
Long life and success to the farmer

There are all sorts of variations on this mug but my favorite may be Emily Sutton's sweetly colored print of a mug with more dramatic handles than mine has, but the same grouping of a couple surrounded by farm implements and animals.

Comments

[Altoon]

How totally charming! Thanks for showing this; I knew nothing of it. I have the same sentiments, but just about my vegetables, fruits, and flowers.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

A perfect ditty to read on May Day. (I am a little behind on my reading.) Tis the season... Happy May Day.