Ipswich – Christchurch Mansion (Old Mug)

One of my favourite pieces on display at the Christchurch Mansion museum is this old tankard, with the words:

When this you see
Remember me
Keep me in your mind
Let all the world
say what they will
Speak of me as you find
Robert Webb

This sounds as if it was owned by someone of considerable character who was frequently in some traditional inn or drinking house, likely causing some trouble. Unfortunately the museum’s on-line catalogue doesn’t seem to list the tankard, so I don’t know anything more about it. A quick Google search finds that this phrase was relatively common on early nineteenth century ceramics, although I don’t know who the Robert Webb was that I assume owned this drinking vessel.

Anyway, another of my random posts, I just liked the wording and the type of person who would acquire this. This reminds me that I haven’t used AI to write a sea shanty recently, so on this worthy theme:

(Verse 1)
Oh, Julian was a sailor bold, with a heart both brave and kind,
He’d sing a tune under the moon, “Keep me in your mind.”
With the rolling waves, he’d sail away, to ports of distant cheer,
Where he’d raise a glass of frothy beer, in a jolly old seafront pub, my dear.

(Chorus)
Yo-ho, hoist the sails high, let’s roam the ocean wide,
In every port, a tale we’ll spin, with laughter as our guide.
Raise a toast to Julian, a sailor brave and true,
Speak of him as you find, with the friendships he’d renew.

(Verse 2)
In every town, the word went ’round, of Julian’s merry ways,
A troubadour with a heart so pure, and a smile that never strays.
From dawn till dusk, he’d share a laugh, with mates both old and new,
And the stories grew as the tankards flew, with cheer in the salty air we knew.

(Chorus)
Yo-ho, hoist the sails high, let’s roam the ocean wide,
In every port, a tale we’ll spin, with laughter as our guide.
Raise a toast to Julian, a sailor brave and true,
Speak of him as you find, with the friendships he’d renew.

(Bridge)
Through storms and gales, his spirit sailed, with courage unconfined,
In every storm, a song he’d form, “Keep me in your mind.”
In the face of fear, he’d lend an ear, to those who felt confined,
In the darkest night, his laughter bright, a beacon for all mankind.

(Verse 3)
Now, Julian’s legend spans the seas, from coast to distant shore,
Where sailors true, with tankards new, sing shanties evermore.
So if you find yourself at sea, in a port of warmth and cheer,
Raise a glass to Julian’s legacy, the sailor we hold dear.

(Chorus)
Yo-ho, hoist the sails high, let’s roam the ocean wide,
In every port, a tale we’ll spin, with laughter as our guide.
Raise a toast to Julian, a sailor brave and true,
Speak of him as you find, with the friendships he’d renew.

(Outro)
So, when you’re in that old seafront pub, and the beer is flowing free,
Remember Julian’s joyful heart, as we sing this shanty at the sea.