THE SUNDERLAND SITE - PAGE 175
POTTERIES - PAGE 3
VERSES ON SUNDERLAND POTTERY

May I suggest that you navigate the site via the index on page 001.PRIOR PAGE / NEXT PAGE Do you want to make a comment? A site guestbook is here. Test Lower on this page - verses with 2 lines. And those with 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 & 12 lines. To search for specific text on this page, just press 'CTRL + F' & then enter your search term. A general site search facility is here. Here is pottery page 172. And here are pottery pages 173 & 176. And:- page bottom (a fine pottery rolling pin). VERSES ON SUNDERLAND LUSTREWARE The novelty 'Reg Carter' postcard image at left, a partial image only, seems to really relate to the potteries at Stoke-on-Trent. It was mailed, c.1910, from Stoke-on-Trent. A 'J. Salmon' of Sevenoaks, Kent, postcard.. On site page 172, I advised just one of the very many verses that appear on Sunderland Lustreware. One of 8 lines that was, to the webmaster, quite amusing. I have repeated it below (Says Sylvia) from a 'Garrison Pottery' jug (red text at left). Here are more of them - in the interest of completeness and in the hope they will be of interest to you, the reader! Exact punctuation is often most difficult. As is, surprisingly perhaps, determining how many lines of verse there are. It sounds easy. But is often not, as a practical matter! 73 such verses today. More will be added, as we find them. There would seem to be only 216 or so in total (see below). And hopefully we can add some links to images showing the words on an actual piece of pottery. Click on the red square () where such an image (of a reasonably acceptable quality) is presently available. Amazingly the verses can be as long as 17 lines long. And, who knows, maybe even more than 17 lines (however could they get 17 lines on a piece of pottery?). I now have seen a pottery item on e-Bay which has 16 lines of verse - in two columns of eight lines each - with the title, the 17th line, across the top of the two columns. But while the image was good, it was not good enough to permit me to be able to read all the text. Fair enough. The item was not listed to satisfy my 'needs' for this page. I will list & maybe show such an item as and when I can do so. Michael Gibson, in his volume, features at least 14 such verses. And there are surely many more (see next paragraph). We have a long way to go! The first verse of two lines below is - per Gibson from a 'Garrison Pottery' chamber pot! While John Bedford, in his volume, has a couple of 'gems' also - the 2nd verse of two lines below, & the 2nd of five lines also. I see that there is a booklet published on this very subject - entitled 'Rhymes and Mottoes on Sunderland Pottery' by James Crawley. Just 32 pages, published by Sunderland Museum and Art Gallery (or maybe Sunderland Public Libraries) in 1960. With August 1961 amendments and additions in the front of the booklet, perhaps. 192 mottoes and their sources and 4 black & white illustrations, so 'BookFinder' tells me. James Crawley was, I read, Director of Sunderland Public Libraries, Museum and Art Gallery, in 1946. And probably much later than 1946 also. A copy of the booklet sold on e-Bay in late March 2007 - for GBP 10.04 or approximately U.S. $19.67. A valuable wee booklet indeed! Now out of date. But there is more. A volume entitled 'Sunderland Pottery', in the 5th edition, revised by J. C. Baker in 1984, includes, I believe, the verses previously listed in the 'Crawley' effort above. Editions 1 through 4, published 1951 thru 1973, had the title of 'The Potteries of Sunderland & District'. At pages 106/134 of the 1984 edition, in Appendix IV, are a great many verses and mottoes. How many are there? An easy question to ask but not so easy to answer! It would seem that they list about 216 verses, but the volume numbering goes up to 322 with the inclusion of mottoes, and the titles written under, say, an image of a sailing ship or the iron bridge, etc. It is probably the nature of the matter, but it would seem to me that quite a few of the verses that are recorded below, do not appear in that 1984 volume. Or do not appear that I can see. It may well be that some of the verses below, largely from items sold on e-Bay, were incorrectly identified by the vendors as being the work of a Sunderland pottery. I do not really know, however. If you have thoughts on the whole matter, your input is invited. Of a total of 2 lines Keep me clean and use me well And what I see I will not tell. Always speak the truth But not at all times the whole truth. MATE SOUND THE PUMP, MORNING NOON & NIGHT. If YOU love's I. as I. love's YOU. No PAIR so happy as WE. TWO Of a total of 3 lines Ladies all I pray make free, And tell me how You like your tea.   Of a total of 4 lines Tis a very good world for to live in, To lend or to spend or to give in; But to beg or to borrow or to get a mans own, Tis the very worst world that ever was known. Success to the Farmer, and prosper his plough, Rewarding his ardent toil, all the year through, Seed time and harvest he ever shall get, He's trusted all to providence and so may he yet. The Lord is my Shepherd my guardian and guide Whatsoever I want he doth kindly provide Ever since I was born it is he that hath crown'd The life that he gave me with blessings around. There are different texts, it would appear. Be wise then Christian while you may For swiftly time is flying, The thoughtless man who laughs today Tomorrow will be dying. Also a version without punctuation. My heart is fix'd I cannot range I love my choice Too well to change. And when the trying time is o’er, And thou my comforts dost restore, I’ll to the praise of God declare, What Grace enables Man to bear. THE LOSS OF GOLD IS MUCH. THE LOSS OF TIME IS MORE: BUT LOSING CHRIST IS SUCH A LOSS AS NO MAN CAN RESTORE. Success to the Fleece To the Plough and the Sail, May our Taxes Grow Less And our Commerce ne'er Fail When far at sea remember me And bear me in your mind, Let all the world say what they will Speek of me as you find.  Just as it appears. 'Speak' written as 'Speek'. May Peace & Plenty On our Nation Smile. and Trade with Commerce Bless the British Isle. There clearly were a number of versions of the verse. 'with Commerce' in line 3 may well identify the plaque as being by Garrison Pottery. When riding o'er the Mountain wave The Hardy Sailor ever brave He laughs at danger smiles at fate And risks his life to save his mate For age & want save while you may no morning sun lasts all the day Teach me to feel another's woe To hide the fault I see , That mercy I to other's show That mercy, show to me . We Sailors are born for all Weathers Great Guns let them blow high blow low Our duty keeps us to our Tethers And where the Gale drives we must go The loss of gold is great. The loss of health is more, But losing Christ is such a loss As no man can restore. Quite similar to the verse 4 above in this column The Ale is good So pray pour out As soon as full Then drink about.   Fear not my Soul Be not dismay'd, For Jesus Christ Thy debt has paid. As I Expect So let me find A Faithfull heart And constant mind. A soft answer. Turneth away wrath. But grievous words. Stir up anger. This rustic maid enjoys her ride Her Donkeys sleekness is her pride If not the swiftest of his race No beast can trot with surer pace A Sailors Life is the Life for me For he does his duty manfully, He gets belov'd by all the Ship So toasts his Girl and drinks his Flip. God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform He plants his footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm The Brewer has sent his Clerk And I must pay my score. And if I trust my beer. What shall I do for more The world's a city with many a crooked street, And death's a market place were all men meet; If life was merchandise which men could buy, The rich would live, the poor alone would die. Of a total of 5 lines FORGET & FORGIVE. To forgive and forget is a maxim of old, Tho' I've learnt but one half of it yet. The theft of my heart I can freely forgive, But the thief I can never forget. From rocks and sands And barren lands Kind fortune keep me free And from great guns and women's tongues Good Lord deliver me. THE SAILORS FAREWELL Far from home across the sea, To foriegn climes I go, While far away O think of me, And I'll remember you. SAILORS, FAREWELL Sweet, oh! Sweet is that Sensation, Where two hearts in union meet; But the pain of Separation, Mingles bitter with the Sweet. ON TIME Time was, is past thou canst not it recall, Time is, thou hast employ the portion small, Time future, is not and may never be, Time present is, the only time for thee. The Gift. Kindly take this gift of mine, The gift and giver I hope is thine, And tho' the value is but small A loving heart is worth it all. Of a total of 6 lines Glide on my bark the summer's tide Is gently flowing by thy side. Around thy prow the waters bright In circling rounds of broken light Are glitt'ring as if ocean gave, Her countless gems to deck the wave There is another version of this verse with different punctuation at the end of each line. And an 8 line version, i.e. with 2 additional lines, which now appears lower on the page. Ensigns of state that feed our pride, Distinctions troublesome and vain, By Masons true are laid aside, Arts free-born sons such toys distain, Ennobled by the name they bear, Distinguish'd by the badge they wear.     Thou noble bark of brightest fame, That bear'st proud England's honourd name, Right welcome home once more! Welcome, thou gallant little sail In England's name I bid the hail! And welcome to her shore. When tempests mingle sea and sky And winds like lion's, rage and rend Ship’s o’er the mountain water’s fly Or down unfathom’d depths descend Though skill avail not, strength decay Deliver us good Lord we pray Now weigh the anchor hoist the sail Launch out upon the pathless deep Resolve however veers the gale The destined port in mind to keep Through all the dangers of the way Deliver us good Lord we pray.   Mild Charity's glow, To us mortals below, Shows the soul from barbarity clear, Compassion will melt, Where the virtue is felt, And its dew is diffus'd in a tear. The second image has different punctuation. Remember me , When this you see, And keep me in your mind, For let the World: Say what they will, Speak of me as you find. The man doomed to sail With the blast of the gale, Through billows Atlantic to steer As he bends o'er the wave Which may soon be his grave Remembers his home with a tear. When round the bowl the jovial crew The early scenes of youth renew, Tho' each his fav'rite fair will boast, This is the universal toast, May we, when toil and danger's o'er, Cast anchor on our native shore. GRACE BEFORE MEAT Be present at our Table LORD Be here and every where adord These Creatures bless And grant that we May live to dwell in Paradise with thee REST IN HEAVEN. There is an hour of peaceful rest To mourning wand'rers given: There is a tear for souls distrest A balm for every wounded breast Tis found above in heaven! The vendor who listed this item said the first word of the last line is 'if'. When first I was a foremast man I often did pretend, If e'er I got promoted I'd be a seamans friend; But in a little time I was promoted to be mate, I then like many others forgot my former state; When I became a Captain I thought myself a King, I then entirely did forget the foremast man I'd been. My earlier text, slightly imperfect, has been modestly corrected. FRIENDS ARE LIKE LEAVES WHICH ON THE TREE DO GROW, IN SUMMERS PROSPEROUS STATE MUCH LOVE DOTH SHOW, BUT WHEN IN ADVERSITY, THEN THEY LIKE LEAVES IN AUTUMN FALL AWAY. Here's to the wind that blows, And the ship that goes, And the boy that fears no danger A ship in full sail, And a fine pleasant gale, And a girl that loves a sailor. The world is in pain Our secrets to gain But still let them wonder & gaze on They ne’er can divine The word nor the sign Of a free & an Accepted MASON. May Orangemen true, Their rights pursue, Whilst honor crowns their Cause Their Church and King, And every Thing, That constitute their Laws. This is a good world to live in, To lend or to spend or to give in. But to beg or to borrow, Or get a man's own; It is such a world, As never was known.   Of a total of 7 lines The Sailor's tear The man doomed to sail With the blast of the gale; Through billows atlantic to steer As he bend o'er the wave Which may soon be his grave He remembers his home with a tear. Lines 2 thru 7 of this verse essentially also appear, i.e. without the 'title' line. And therefore of 6 lines only as above. But not quite identical in the text. PRESENT. Dear lovely Wife pray rise & P:'ss, Take you that handle & I'll take this, Let's use the Present which was sent, To make some mirth is only meant, So let it be as they have said, We'll laugh and P:'ss and then to Bed. The webmaster is just the scribe! The verse, which was on a chamber pot, has unusual punctuation that I cannot duplicate properly here. Hail! MASONRY Divine! Glory of ages shine, Long may'st thou reign! Where'er thy LODGES stand, May they have great command, And always grace the land, Thou ART divine! THE GOOD WIFE. Show me the wife that's on the watch For every little rent, or scratch, And cures it with a timely patch, Before you know it ; She is a women fit to match, A Lord or Poet. Of a total of 8 lines Says Sylvia to a reverend priest What reason can be given Since marriage is a holy thing That there is none in heaven? There are no women he replied She quite returned the jest Women there are, but I'm afraid They can not find a priest. I envy no one's birth or fame, Their title, train or dress, Nor has my pride e're stretch'd its aim, Beyond what I possess; I ask not, wish not, to appear more beauteous, rich or gay, Lord make we wiser every year, And better every day. SWIFTLY SEE EACH MOMENT FLIES, SEE AND LEARN BE TIMELY WISE, EVERY MOMENT SHORTENS DAY, EVERY PULSE BEATS LIFE AWAY, THUS THY EVERY HEAVING BREATH, WAFT THEE ON TO CERTAIN DEATH, SEIZE THE MOMENTS AS THY FLY KNOW TO LIVE AND LEARN TO DIE.   My lad is far upon the sea  His absence makes me mourn The bark that bears him far from me I hope will safe Return And from his earnings I'll save up  If lucky he should be And then when ld with me shall stop And go no more to SEA LET MASONRY FROM POLE TO POLE HER SACRED LAWS EXPAND, FAR AS THE MIGHTY WATERS ROLL, TO WASH REMOTEST LAND: THAT VIRTUE HAS NOT LEFT MANKIND HER SOCIAL MAXIMS PROVE, FOR STAMP'D UPON THE MASONS MIND ARE UNITY AND LOVE. Michael Gibson lists this verse entirely in lower case and with different punctuation. I presume there is more than one version. Distress me with those tears no more, One Kiss my Girl and then adieu! The last boat, destined for the shore, Waits, dearest Girl alone for you. Soon, soon before the light winds borne Shall I be sever'd from your sight; You left the lonely hours to mourn And weep thro' many a storm'y night.     How dear to the heart of the long absent tar Is the home of his childhood, to gaze on from far, When the cliffs of old Tynemouth, appear to his view And the thoughts of past joy, fill his bosom anew, The wind it may whistle, across the wild sea, Yet the sailor with joy, is still looking at thee, And the billows may foam across thy wide bar Tis the mouth of the home of the coaly Tyne, TAR. The sun is up we'll brush the dew To hear the huntsman's gay halloo And hark the dog's enlivening cry Now see the horsemen gallop by. And now we hear the distant horn. Upon the dying echoes borne. From copse to copse the hunters hie On hearing Driver's well known cry MARRIAGE. This Pot it is A Present Sent, Some mirth to make is only Meant, We hope the same you'll not Refuse, But keep it safe and oft it Use, When in it you want to P:'ss, Remember them who sent you, THIS  As I have said elsewhere on this page, the webmaster is just the scribe! The verse, which was on a chamber pot, has unusual punctuation that I have tried to best duplicate above. The second image is slightly different. THERE'S A FRIGATE ON THE WATERS, FIT FOR BATTLE, STORM, OR FUN, SHE DANCES LIKE A LIFE BOAT, THOUGH SHE CARRIES FLAG AND GUN, WHAT'ER MAY TRY, SHE'LL STAND THE TEST, THE BRAVE, THE STAUNCH THE FREE, SHE BEARS A NAME OF STAINLESS FAME, THE FAIRY OF THE SEA. I have seen an e-Bay listing which states that this verse is attributed to William Ball of Ball's Pottery (or Deptford Pottery) in the 1850s.   Glide on, my bark; the summer’s tide  Is gently flowing to thy side;  Around thy prow the waters bright,  In circling round of broken light  Are glitt’ring, as if ocean gave  Her countless gems to deck the wave;  Whilst moonlight shines like mimic day ---  Glide on, my bark, thy moonlit way. The above verse is recorded on a Sunderland pitcher commemorating the Crimea War. And appears here thanks to Ruth Lilian, of Florida, who wrote in to the guestbook. The pitcher had two 8 line verses - the other is at right.   Glide on, my bark! how sweet to rove, With such a beaming sky above, O’er the dark sea, whose murmurs seem Like fairy music in a dream; No sound is heard to break the spell, Except the water’s gentle swell; Whilst midnight, like a mimic day, Shines on, to guide our moonlit way. See immediately left The sailor tost in stormy seas, Though far his bark may roam, Still hears a voice in every breeze, That wakens thoughts of home, He thinks upon his distant friends, His wife, his humble cot, And from his inmost heart ascends, The prayer  Forget me not.     Of a total of 9 lines THE SAILORS TEAR He leap'd into the boat; As it lay upon the strand, But, oh! his heart was far away, With friends upon the land, He thought of those he lov'd the best A wife and infant dear, And feeling fill'd the sailor's breast The sailor's eye - a tear. FORGET ME NOT. The sailor tossed on stormy seas Though far his bark may roam, Still hears a voice in every breeze That wakens thoughts at home; He thinks upon his distant friends His wife, his humble cot, And from his inmost heart ascends The prayer forget me not. Note England England glorious name Home of freedom star of fame. Light o’er Oceon widely sent, Empress of the element. Gorgeous sea encircled gem. Of the worlds bright diadem. Nations Nations to command Who but points admiring hand. To thee our own our native land. REMEMBRANCE. The sun shall lose its splendour, The tides shall cease to flow And tyrants' hearts grow tender, And melt at others' woe, Thy frosty breath December, Shall blight the flow'r of May Ere I cease to remember The friends now far away. Of a total of 11 lines FRIENDSHIP, LOVE AND TRUTH. WHEN FRIENDSHIP LOVE AND TRUTH ABOUND AMONG A BAND OF BROTHERS, THE CUP OF JOY GOES GAILY ROUND, EACH SHARES THE BLISS OF OTHERS SWEET ROSES GRACE THE THORNY WAY ALONG THIS VALE OF SORROW; THE FLOWERS THAT SHED THEIR LEAVES TODAY SHALL BLOOM AGAIN TOMORROW! HOW GRAND IN AGE HOW FAIR IN YOUTH ARE HOLY FRIENDSHIP LOVE & TRUTH.   Of a total of 12 lines Let the Wealthy & Great, Roll in Splendour and State, I envy them not I declare it ; I eat my own Lamb, My Chickens and Ham, I shear my own fleece & I wear it I have lawns I have Bow'rs I have fruit, I have flow'rs The lark is my morning Alarmer  So Jolly boys now  Heres God Speed the Plough Long Life & Success to the farmer.  Michael Gibson lists this verse with a different line sequence, with different punctuation and even with different spelling of certain words. I presume therefore there is more than one version.   TO END THE PAGE For your visual pleasure. An item which relates so well to the content of this page i.e. verses on pottery. The webmaster does not have the knowledge to describe the imagery which follows, but can readily provide the descriptive text which accompanies the e-Bay item. Which you can access here - listed, by vendor fossils77 for GBP 465.00 or approx. U.S. $613.38. 'A very rare mid 19th century Staffordshire / Sunderland pottery rolling pin. Transfer printed with two nautical verses either side of a central print of a sailing ship. all the printing in brown. Circa 1860 English. Length 37.5 cm. Condition very good a small chip to either end. No restoration.' The vendor kindly added the following commentary 'We have always liked Sunderland pottery Rolling pins, they are unusually uncommon, but not surprising when you think the potters, were competing with Glass blowers in the market place, who could produce a rolling pin in one process of blowing. Our potters needing, clay, glazes, transfers & at least two firings, did produce a better item!'  Was the item made in Staffordshire? Or in Sunderland? The webmaster does not know the answer. Should you so wonder, the other, hidden, side of the rolling pin has no decoration. Larger images of the two verses are below. If the images do appeal to you, do not fail to see the splendid much larger images the vendor kindly provided with his listing. May I suggest that you navigate the site via the index on page 001.PRIOR PAGE / NEXT PAGE To Sunderland Pottery pages 172, 173 & 176. To Thomas M. M. Hemy Data Page 41. All of the other Thomas Hemy pages, including image pages, are accessible though the index on page 05. To the Special Pages Index. A SITE SEARCH FACILITY Search This Site for Get a Free Search Engine for Your Web Site THE GUEST BOOK - GO HERE E-MAIL THIS LINK Enter recipient's e-mail: