"God Speed the Plough" Plate by F.R. Gray & Sons Ltd

Offered for sale is a plate by F.R.Gray &Sons Ltd entitled "God Speed the Plough". "God speed the plough", " a wish for success or prosperity," was originally a phrase in a 15th-century song sung by ploughmen on Plough Monday, the first Monday after Twelfth Day, which is the end of the Christmas holidays, when farm laborers returned to the plough. There is a rhyme at the bottom of the plate which reads. Let the Wealthy and 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 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 Plough, Long life and success to the Farmer. This plate was produced in Mid 20th Century, probably 1970's