[ Odes, Anthems and Songs have been collected and included by the learned author in this last portion of his book on the Illustrations of Masonry, including the Farewell Song composed by the Masonic Poet Bro. Robert Burns. The Odes, Anthems and Songs posted here are beautiful pieces. The posting of the Book concludes with this article]

  Illustrations Of  Masonry

W.Bro. WILLIAM PRESTON
Past Master of the Lodge of Antiquity (No.1)

  A Collection Of  Odes , Anthems  and Songs

 Ode. 1.

By  Mr. Cunningham

Hail to the Craft! at whose serene command

The gentle Arts in glad obedience stand:

Hail, sacred Masonry! of source divine,

Unerring sov'reign of th' unerring line

Whose plumb of truth, with never-failing sway,

Makes the join'd parts of symmetry obey:

Whose magic stroke bids fell confusion cease,

And to the finish'd Orders gives a place:

Who calls vast structures from the womb of earth,

And gives imperial cities glorious birth.

  To works of Art Her merit not confin'd,

She regulates the morals, squares the mind;

Corrects with care the follies of the soul,

And points the tide of passions where to roll:

On Virtue's tablet mars Her moral rule,

And forms Her Lodge an universal school;

Where Nature's mystic laws unfolded stand,

And Sense and Science join'd, go hand in hand.

  O may Her social rules instructive spread,

Till Truth erect Her long neglected head!

Till through deceitful night She dart her ray,

And beam full glorious in the blaze of day!

Till men by virtuous maxims learn to move,

Till all the peopled world Her laws approve,

And Adam's race, are bound in brother's love!

Ode.  2.

(Composed by a Member of the Alfred Lodge at Oxford, set to Music by Dr. Fisher

 and performed at the Dedication of Freemasons Hall.)

Strophe

Air.

What solemn sounds on holy Sinai rung,

When heav'nly lyres, by angel fingers strung,

Accorded to th'immortal lay,

That hymn'd Creation's natal day!

(Recitative, accompanied.)

'Twas then the shouting sons of morn

Bless'd the great omnific Word;

Abash'd hoarse jarring atoms heard,

Forgot their pealing strife,

And softly crouded into life,

When Order, Law, and Harmony were born:

  Chorus

The mighty Master's pencil warm,

Trac'd out the shadowy farm,

And bid each fair proportion grace

Smiling Nature's modest face.

Air.

Heav'n's rarest gifts were seen to join

To deck a finish'd form divine,

And fill the sov'reign Artist's plan;

Th' Almighty's image stamp'd the glowing frame,

And seal'd him with the noblest name,

Archetype of beauty, Man,

Antistrophe   Semichorus And Chorus

Ye spirits pure, that rous'd the tuneful throng,

And loos'd to rapture each triumphant tongue,

Again with quick instinctive fire,

Each harmonious lip inspire:

Again bid every vocal throat

Dissolve in tender votive stain.

Air

Now while yonder white-rob'd train

Before the mystic shrine,

In lowly adoration join,

Now sweep the living lyre, and swell the melting note.

  Recitative.

Yet ere the holy rites begin,

The conscious shrine within

Bid your magic song impart,

  Air

How within the wasted heart,

Shook by passion's ruthless pow'r,

Virtue trimm'd her faded flow'r,

To op'ning buds of fairest fruit;

How from majestic Nature's blowing face,

She caught each animating grace,

And planted there th' immortal root.

Epode. [Recitative, accompanied].

Daughter of gods, fair Virtue, if to thee

And thy bright Sister, Universal Love,

Soul of all good, e'er flow'd the soothing harmony

Of pious gratulation; from above,

To us, thy duteous votaries, impart

Pretence divine.

  Air.

The sons of antique Art,

In high mysterious jubilee,

With Pćan loud, and solemn rite,

Thy holy step invite,

And court thy listening ear,

To drink the cadence clear,

That swells the choral symphony.

  Chorus.

To thee, by foot profane untrod,

Their votive hands have rear'd the high above.

  Recitative.

Here shall your impulse kind,

Inspire the tranced mind.

  Air.

And lips of Truth shall tell

What heav'nly deeds befit,

The soul by Wisdoms lesson smit;

What praise he claims, who nobly spurns

Gay vanities of life, and tinsel joys,

For which unpurged fancy burns.

  Chorus.

What pain he shuns, who dares be wise;

What glory wins, who dares excel!

  Ode. 3.

[Performed at the Grand Chapter of Harodim

Written by Bro. Noorthouck. Set to Music by Bro.Webbe.]

  Opening.

Order is Heaven's first law: thro' boundless space

Unnumber'd orbs roll round their destin'd race;

On earth, as strict arrangements still appear,

Suiting the varying seasons of the year:

Beneficence divine presents to view

Its plenteous gifts to man, in order true;

But chief a mind, these blessings to improve,

By arts, by science, by fraternal love.

  Division.

When men exalt their views to Heav'n's high will,

With steady aim their duty to fulfil,

The mind expands, its strength appears,

Growing with their growing years,

Mounting the apex of masonic skill.

Be this the earnest purpose of our lives,

Success must crown the man who nobly strives!

  Conclusion.

Loud let us raise our swelling strains,

And Harodim proclaim,

Of excellence the name;

Good-will to all, love to each other,

The due of every skilful brother,

Who worthily our ancient lore maintains.

Indulgence in pleasure,

By prudence we measure;

And, cheerfully parting, exchange an adieu;

Till we meet with fresh vigour, our tacks to renew.

  Ode. 4.

(Performed at Coach Makers Hall.

Written by Mr.Brown. Set to Music by Mr.Remy)

  Recitative.

When first the golden morn aloft,

With maiden breezes whisp' ring soft;

Sprung from the east with rosy wing,

To kiss the heav'nly first-born spring;

Jehovah then, from hallow'd earth,

Gave Masonry immortal birth;

'Twas then the new creation rung,

And thus the Host of Heaven sung:

  Air.

Hail, hail, O hail, thou source of love,

Great Artist of this goodly frame!

The earth and sea, the sky above,

Thou form'st to try immortal fame!

  Semi Chorus.

To thee, our Sire,

The cherub choir

The air move with seraphic found,

Ye breezes sweet,

The cadence meet,

And wast it o'er the hallow'd ground.

  Air.

Ten thousand orbial beauties bright,

Which long confus'd in chaos lay,

Thou brought'st them forth to give delight,

And make the face of Heav'n gay.

  Semi Chorus.

To thee, our Sire, &c

  Recitative.

'Twas thus the Heav'ns in concert rung,

While Nature kind from chaos sprung,

Brought forth her tender infant green,

And flow'ry sweets, to deck the scene

To finish then the Artist's plan,

Of purest mould he form'd the Man;

Then gave him an immortal soul,

And bid him live, and rule the whole;

While angels, from their golden shrine

Sung with angelic strains divine:

  Air.

Happy, happy mortals rise,

Taste with us immortal joys,

Blooming on yon sacred tree,

Planted by the Deity,

The hallow'd fruit is Masonry.

Far beyond the pregnant sky,

There the hopes of Masons lie,

Masons happy choice above,

Masons every blessing prove,

Friendship, harmony, and love.

  Recitative.

Since perfect love and pow'r divine

First gave our science birth,

So friendship shall our hearts entwine,

And harmonize the earth;

Behold the virgin hither flies,

To crown us with her blissful joys.

  Air.

Blooming as fair Eden's bow'r,

Friendship, goddess heav'nly bright,

Dropping in a balmy shower,

Breathing concord and delight;

Each Mason feels the sacred fire

Glow with ardour in his heart;

The flame inspires him with desire

To relieve each other's smart.

  Full  Chorus.

From Heav'n since such blessings flow,

Let ev'ry Mason while below

Our noble science here improve;

'Twill raise his soul to realms above,

And make his lodge - a lodge of love.

 Ode 5.

[By Mr. Thomas Dermody.]

Thou fairest Type of Excellence divine,

Whose social links the race of man combine,

Whose awful mandates coward vice control,

And breathe through nature one enlighten'd soul;

From thy mild sway benignant virtues rise,

Pour on the heart, and emulate the skies;

From thy sage voice sublime Instruction springs,

While Knowledge waves her many-colour'd wings,

And star-ey'd Truth, and Conscience, holy zest,

Enthrone TRUE FEELING in the glowing breast.

Then deign the labour of thy sons to guide,

O'er each full line in nervous sense preside,

Adorn each verse, each manly thought inflame,

And what we gain from GENIUS give to FAME.

Ode. 6.

(By Mr. William Walker)

  Strike to melodious notes the golden lyre!

Spread wide to all around the ardent flame,

Till each rapt bosom catch the sacred fire,

And join the glorious theme!

'Tis Masonry,

The art sublimely free,

Where Majesty has bow'd, and own'd a Brother's name!

Through ample domes wide let the chorus roll,

Responsive to the ardour of the soul,

Hail! inspiring Masonry!

To thy shrine do myriads bend;

Yet more glorious shalt thou be,

Till o'er the world thy pow'r extend.

Still to the sons of Earth thy Light dispense,

And all shall own thy sacred influence.

Though Genius fires, yet faint his rays appear,

Till thy mysterious lore the soul refine;

'Tis thou to noblest heights his thoughts must rear,

And make them doubly thine.

O Masonry!

Thou Art sublimely free!

'Tis thou exalt'st the man, and mak'st him half divine.

Ye Masons, favour'd men, your voices raise!

You speak your glory while you sing its praise.

Hail! Inspiring Masonry, &c.

  Blest be the man, and blest he is, who bears

With virtuous pride a Mason's sacred name;

And may each Brother, who the blessing shares,

Enrich the list of Fame.

Blest Masonry!

Thou art sublimely free!

Heav'n, bids thy happy sons, and they thy worth proclaim

With loud assent! their cheerful voices raise,

Their great, immortal Masonry to praise.

Hail! inspiring Masonry, &c.

The tow'r sky-pointing, and the dome sublime,

Rais'd by the mystic rules and forming pow'r,

Shall long withstand the iron tooth of Time,

Yet still their fall is sure

But Masonry,

The Art sublimely free,

Founded by God himself, thro' time shall firm endure.

Still shall its sons their grateful voices raise,

And joyful sound their Great Grand Master's praise.

At thy shrine, O Masonry!

Shall admiring nations bind;

In future times thy sons shall see

Thy fame from pole to pole extend.

To worlds unknown thy heav'n-born Light dispense,

And systems own thy sacred influence.

  Ode. 7.

  Wake the lute and quiv'ring strings,

Mystic truths Urania brings;

Friendly visitant, to thee

We owe the depths of Masonry;

Fairest of the virgin choir,

Warbling to the golden lyre,

Welcome; here thy ART prevail!

Hail! divine Urania, hail!

Here in Friendship's sacred bower,

The downy-wing'd and smiling hour,

Mirth invites, and social Song,

Nameless mysteries among:

Crown the bowl, and fill the glass,

To every virtue, every grace,

To the Brotherhood resound

Health, and let it thrice go round

We restore the times of old,

The blooming glorious age of gold;

As the new creation free,

Blest! with gay Euphrosyne;

We with godlike Science talk,

And with fair Astrća walk;

Innocence adorns the day,

Brighter than the smiles of May.

Pour the rosy wine again,

Wake a louder, louder strain;

Rapid zephyrs, as ye fly,

Waft our voices to the sky;

While we celebrate the Nine,

And the wonders of the Trine,

While the Angels sing above,

As we below, of Peace and Love.

  ODE. 8.

(By Bro. Dunckerley)

  Almighty Sire! our heavenly king,

Before whose sacred name we bend,

Accept the praises which we sing,

And to our humble prayer attend!

All hail, great architect divine!

This universal frame is thine.

  Thou who did'st Persia's king command,

A proclamation to extend,

That Israel's sons might quit his land,

Their holy temple to attend.

  That sacred place where three in one,

Compris'd thy comprehensive name;

And where the bright meridian sun

Was soon thy glory to proclaim.

  Thy watchful eye, a length, of time,

The wondrous circle did attend

The glory and the power be thine,

Which shall from age to age descend.

On thy omnipotence we rest,

Secure of thy protection here;

And hope hereafter to be blest,

When we have left this world of care.

Grant us, great God, thy powerful aid,

To guide us through this vale of tears;

For where thy goodness is display'd,

Peace soothes the mind, and pleasure cheers.

Inspire us with thy grace divine,

Thy sacred law our guide shall be

To every good our hearts incline,

From every evil keep us free.

All hail! &c.

  ODE. 9.

(By the Same)

  Hail Universal Lord!

By heaven and earth ador'd;

All hail! great God!

Before thy Name we bend,

To us thy grace extend,

And to our prayer attend.

All hail! great God!

  ODE. 10.

(Set to Music by Dr. Arnold)

  Assist me, ye fair tuneful Nine,

Euphrosyne, grant me thy aid,

While the honours I sing of the Trine,

Preside o'er my number, blithe maid!

Cease Clamour and Faction, oh cease,

Fly hence all ye cynical train;

Disturb not, disturb not the lodge's sweet peace,

Where Silence and Secrecy reign.

Religion untainted here dwells,

Here the morals of Athens are taught;

Great Hiram's tradition here tells

How the world out of chaos was brought.

With fervency, freedom, and zeal,

Our master's commands we obey;

No lowen, no lowen our secrets can steal,

No babbler our myst'ries betray.

Here Wisdom her standard displays,

Here nobly the Sciences shine;

Here the temple's vast column we raise,

And finish a work that's divine.

Illum'd from the East with pure light,

Here Arts do their blessings bestow;

And all perfect, all perfect, unfold to the fight,

What none but a Mason can know.

If on earth any praise can be found,

Any virtue unnam'd in my song;

Any grace in the universe round,

May these to a Mason belong!

May each brother his passion subdue,

Proclaim charity, concord, and love;

And be hail'd, and be hail'd by the thrice happy few

Who preside in the Grand Lodge above!

  ODE. 11.

  Urania, hail! to thee we sing,

And all with pleasure own the lay;

Which from thy sacred fountain spring,

To clad the free-born sons of day;

O still attend our meetings here,

With peace serene, and joy sincere.

True joys unrussled, calm repose,

In friendship's sacred band behold,

The happy recommence of those

Who laws and liberty uphold;

Who scorn all base, unmanly views,

From vice refrain, and virtue choose.

May each Free-mason good and true,

In Britain's isle be ever found;

And in remotest regions too,

May love and harmony abound;

And all confess true Wisdom's power,

Till Time and Masons are no more.

  ODE. 12.

  Arise, gentle Muse, and thy wisdom impart

To each bosom that glows with the love of our Art;

For the bliss that from thy inspiration accrues,

Is what all should admire, and each Mason pursues.

  CHORUS.

Hence Harmony springs, 'tis the cement of love,

Fair freedom on earth and bright union above.

Tho' malice our joy should attempt to control,

Tho' discord around like an ocean should roll;

To the one we'll be deaf, to the other be blind,

For wisdom alone is the strength of the mind.

The bright charms of beauty for ever will shine,

Our Art to adorn with a lustre divine,

Till Time, circling round, shall unfold the great truth,

Which thus has united the sage and the youth.

Anthem. 1.

  Grant us, kind Heaven! what we request,

In Masonry let us be blest;

Direct us to that happy place

Where Friendship smiles in every face;

Where Freedom and sweet Innocence

Enlarge the mind and cheer the sense.

Where scepter'd Reason, from her throne,

Surveys the Lodge and makes us one;

And Harmony's delightful sway

For ever sheds ambrosial day:

Where we blest Eden's pleasures taste,

While balmy joys are our repast.

No prying eye can view us here;

No fool or knave disturb our cheer:

Our well-form'd laws set mankind free,

And give relief to misery:

The poor, oppress'd with woe and grief,

Gain from our bounteous hands relief.

Our Lodge, the social Virtues grace,

And Wisdom's rules we fondly trace;

Whole Nature open to our view,

Points out the paths we should pursue.

Let us subsist in lasting peace,

And may our happiness increase!

  Anthem. 2.

  By Masons' Art th' aspiring dome

On stately columns shall arise,

All climates are their native home,

Their godlike actions reach the skies.

Heroes and kings revere their name,

While poets sing their lasting fame.

Great, noble, gen'rous, good, and brave;

All virtues they must justly claim;

Their deeds shall live beyond the grave,

And those unborn their praise proclaim.

Time shall their glorious acts enrol,

While love and friendship charm the soul.

  Anthem. 3.

"Let there be light!" - the Almighty spoke,

Refulgent streams from chaos broke,

To illume the rising earth!

Well pleas'd the Great Jehovah stood -

The Power Supreme pronounc'd it good,

And gave the planets birth!

In choral numbers Masons join,

To bless and praise this light divine.

Parent of light! accept our praise!

Who shedd'st on us - thy brightest rays,

The light that fills his mind -

By choice selected, lo! we stand,

By friendship join'd, a social band!

That love - that aid mankind!

In choral numbers, &c.

The widow's tear - the orphan's cry -

All wants - our ready hands supply,

As far as power is given!

The naked clothe - the pris'ner free -

These are thy works, Sweet Charity!

Reveal'd to us from Heaven!

In choral numbers, &c.

  Anthem. 4.

  To Heaven's high Architect all praise,

All praise, all gratitude be given;

Who deign'd the human soul to raise,

By mystic secrets sprung from Heaven.

  CHORUS.

Sound aloud the Great JEHOVAH'S praise;

To him the dome, the temple raise.

  Song.  1.

(Tune- Attic Fire)

  Arise and blow thy trumpet, Fame!

Free-masonry aloud proclaim,

To realms and worlds unknown;

Tell them 'twas this great David's son,

The wise, the matchless Solomon,

Pris'd far above his throne.

  The solemn temple's cloud rapt towers,

Th' aspiring domes are works of ours,

By us those piles were rais'd;

Then bid mankind with songs advance,

And through th' ethereal vast, expanse,

Let Masonry be prais'd!

  We help the poor in time of need,

The naked clothe, the hungry feed,

'Tis our foundation-stone;

We build upon the noblest plan,

For friendship rivets man to man,

And makes us all as one. Chorus three times

  Still louder, Fame! thy trumpet blow;

Let all the distant regions know

Free-masonry is this;

Almighty Wisdom gave it birth,

And Heaven has fix'd it hereon earth,

A type of future bliss!

  Song.  2.

(Tune-- He comes, &c)

  Unite, unite, your voices raise;

Loud, loudly sing Free-masons' praise;

Spread far and wide their spotless fame,

And glory in the sacred name.

Behold, behold, the upright band,

In Virtue's paths go hand in hand;

They shun each ill, they do no wrong,

Strip honour does to them belong.

How just, how just are all their ways,

Superior far to mortal praise!

Their worth, description far exceeds,

For matchless are Freemasons' deeds.

Go on, go on, ye just and true,

Still, still the same bright paths pursue;

Th' admiring world shall on ye gaze,

And Friendship's altar ever blaze.

Begone, begone, fly discord hence!

With party rage, and insolence!

Sweet Peace shall bless this happy band,

And Freedom smile throughout the land.

  Song. 3.

(Tune-- Rule Britannia)

  When earth's foundation first was laid,

By the almighty Artist's hand,

'Twas then our perfect, our perfect laws were made,

Establish'd by his strict command,

  Chorus.

Hail, mysterious; hail, glorious Masonry!

That makes us ever great and free.

In vain, mankind for shelter sought,

In vain from place to place did roam,

Until from Heaven, from Heaven he was taught

To plan, to build, to fix his home.

Illustrious hence we date our Art,

Which now in beauteous piles appear;

And shall to endless, to endless time impart,

How worthy and how great we are.

Nor we less fam'd for every tie

By which the human thought is bound;

Love, truth, and friendship, and friendship socially

Unite our hearts and hands around.

Our actions still by virtue blest,

And to our precepts ever true;

The world admiring, admiring shall request

To learn, and our bright paths pursue.

Song. 4.

(Tune-- Rule Britannia)

  Ere God the Universe began,

In one rude chaos matter lay,

And wild disorder overran,

Nor knew of light one glimmering ray;

While, in darkness, o'er the whole

Confusion reign'd without control.

Then God arose, his thunders hurl'd,

And bade the elements arise

In air he hung the pendent world,

And o'er it spread the azure skies;

Stars in circle caus'd to run,

And in the centre fix'd the Sun.

Then Man he call'd forth out of dust,

And form'd him with a living soul;

All things committed to his trust,

And made him ruler of the whole;

But, ungrateful unto Heaven,

The rebel was from Eden driven.

From thence proceeded all our woes,

Nor could mankind one comfort cheer;

Until Free-masonry arose,

And form'd another Eden here;

'Tis only on Masonic ground,

Pleasure with innocence is found.

'Tis here the purest fountains flow,

Here naught corrupt can enter in;

Here trees of knowledge stately grow,

Whose fruit we taste, exempt from sin;

In friendship sweet we still abound,

While guardian Angels hover round.

  Song. 5 .

(Composed by Bro. Noorthouck and sung in the Provincial Grand Lodge

at Margate in Kent, June 12, 1786, by Bro. Robson--Tune-- Rule Britannia)

  While trifles lead the world astray,

And vice seduces giddy youth;

Rejoice, my brethren, in this auspicious day,

That guides a steady few to truth;

Raise, raise your voices, ye Kentish Masons all,

'Tis SAWBRIDGE rules, obey his call.

Shall Masonry through Britain spread,

And flourish every where but here?

Forbid it, Virtue! while you our footsteps lead,

Kent foremost shall in worth appear;

Huzza, my brethren! to SAWBRIDGE raise the song,

Our grateful strains to him belong.

When Harold's crown the Norman gain'd,

In Kent a hardy race he found;

Whose sons to cherish, their ancient fame unstain'd

Preserve it on masonic ground:

True to your duty, your ancestors, and land,

Let SAWBRIDGE lead a worthy band.

Away with politics and news,

Away with controversies all;

We're here united, above all party views,

And gladly hail the social call;

Fill, fill your glasses; let SAWBRIDGE be the toast,

Long may we his protection boast!

  Song. 6 .

(By J. F. Stanfield, Sunderland.)

(Anacreontic)

  Not the fictions of Greece, or the dreams of old Rome,

Shall with visions mislead, or with meteors consume,

No Pegasus' wings my short soarings misguide;

Nor raptures detain me on Helicon side.

All clouds now dissolve; from the east beams the day -

Truth rises in glory and wakens the lay.

The eagle-ey'd Muse - sees the light - fills the grove

With the songs of Freemasons, of Friendship, and Love

Inspir'd with the theme, the Divinity flies,

And thron'd on a rainbow - before her arise

Past, Present, and Future - with splendid array,

In masonic succession, their treasures display;

She views murder'd Merit by ruffian-hand fall,

And the grave give its dead up, at fellowship's call!

While the Craft, by their badges, their innocence prove;

And the song of Freemasons is Friendship and Love!

From those ages remote, see the Muse speeds her way,

To join in the glories the Present display.

In freedom and friendship, she sees the true band

With their splendour and virtues illumine the land.

Religion's pure beams break the vapours of night,

And from darkness mysterious, the Word gives the light!

While the Lodge here below, as the choirs from above,

Join the song of Freemasons in Friendship and Love!

That the Future might keep, what the Present bestows,

In rapture prophetic the goddess arose;

As she sung through the skies, angels echo'd the sound,

And the winds bore the notes to the regions around;

The kind proclamation our song shall retain,

'Twas - 'That Masonry long may its lustre maintain

'And till Time be no more, our fraternity prove,

'That the objects we aim at, are Friendship and Love!'

  Song. 7 .

(Tune- Rural Felicity.)

  Ye dull stupid mortals give o'er your conjectures,

Since Freemasons' secrets ye ne'er can obtain;

The Bible and compasses are our directors,

And shall be as long as this world doth remain.

Here friendship inviting, here freedom delighting,

Our moments in innocent mirth we employ:

  Chorus.

Come, see, Masons' felicity,

Working and singing with hearts full of joy.

No other Society that you can mention,

Which has been, is now, or hereafter shall be,

However commendable be its intention,

Can ever compare with divine Masonry.

No envy, no quarrels, can here blast our laurels,

No passion our pleasures can ever annoy

Come, see, &c.

To aid one another we always are ready,

Our rites and our secrets we carefully guard;

The lodge to support, we like pillars are steady,

No Babel confusion our work shall retard.

Ye mortals, come hither, assemble together,

And taste of those pleasures which never can cloy.

Come, see, &c.

We are to the Master for ever obedient,

Whenever he calls, to the Lodge we repair;

Experience has taught us, that 'tis most expedient

To live within compass, and act on the square.

Let mutual agreement be Freemasons' cement,

Until the whole universe Time shall destroy.

Come, see, &c.

  Song. 8 .

(Tune-- When Phśbus the tops, &c.)

  While princes and heroes promiscuously fight,

And for the world's empire exert all their might,

We sit in the Lodges from danger secure,

No hardships we meet with, no pains we endure;

But each brother cheerfully joins in a song;

Our rites we renew,

Our pleasures pursue;

Thus we waft time along.

To restless ambition we never give way,

Our friends and our secrets we never betray;

Henceforth, O ye Heroes, your ravages cease,

And the laurels ye wear, to Freemasons release

Tho' ye won them by warfare, we claim them by peace.

They are ours, ours, ours, ours, ours;

Tho' ye won them by warfare, we claim them by peace.

  Song. 9.

(Tune--Hearts of Oak)

  No sect in the world can with Masons compare,

So ancient, so noble the badge which they wear,

That all other Orders. however esteem'd,

Inferior to Masonry justly are deem'd,

  Chorus.

We always are free,

And for ever agree;

Supporting each other,

Brother helps brother,

No mortals on earth are so friendly as we.

When first attic fire mortals glory became,

Tho' small was the spark, it soon grew to a flame;

As Phśbus celestial transcendently bright,

It spread o'er the world a fresh torrent of light.

We always, &c.

The greatest of monarchs, the wisest of men,

Freemasonry honour'd again and again;

And nobles have quitted all other delights,

With joy to preside o'er our mystical rites.

We always, &c.

Tho' some may pretend we've no secrets to know,

Such idle opinions their ignorance show;

While others, with raptures, cry out, they're reveal'd,

In Freemasons' bosoms they still lie conceal'd.

We always, &c.

Coxcomical pedants may say what they can,

Abuse us, ill use us, and laugh at our plan;

We'll temper our mortar, enliven our souls,

And join in a chorus o'er full flowing bowls.,

We always, &c.

  Song. 10.

(By Bro. Stephen Jones.)

(Tune-- Hearts of Oak)

  A System more pure ne'er was modell'd by man,

Than that which we boast as the Freemason's plan;

It unites all the world by the strongest of ties,

And adds to men's bliss, while it makes them more wise.

From the prince to the boor,

Be he rich, be he poor,

A Mason is a Brother,

And each will help the other,

So grateful the tie is of FREEMASONRY.

That hence flow the purest enjoyments of life,

That banish'd from hence are dissension and strife,

That the lessons are good which we practise and teach,

Are truths that our foes vainly strive to impeach.

From the prince, &c.

The greatest of monarchs, the wisest, and best,

Have Masons become, and been true to the test;

And still with that SANCTION our rights are pursu'd,

Adrmir'd by the wise, and approv'd by the good.

From the prince, &c.

Yet let not the "Man of our hearts" be unsung,

Nor forget the effects of his well pleading tongue;

May the prayers of our orphans to Heaven ascend,

And secure its best blessings for MOIRA their friend!

From the prince, &c.

The tack were too tedious the deeds to record

Of the great and the good, that our annals afford;

In a word, let us utter this truth to mankind,

There's no temple more pure than the true Mason's mind.

From the prince, &c.

( Alludes to a collection of upwards of 500l. being made for the Cumberland School, after a speech of the Earl of Moira's in its behalf at a public dinner.)

  Song. 11.

(Tune- Goddess of Ease)

  Genius of Masonry descend,

And with thee bring thy spotless train;

Constant our sacred rites attend,

While we adore thy peaceful reign;

Bring with thee Virtue, brightest maid,

Bring Love, bring Truth, and Friendship here;

While social Mirth shall lend her aid,

To sooth the wrinkled brow of Care.

Come, Charity, with goodness crown'd,

Encircled in thy heavenly robe,

Diffuse thy blessings all around,

To every corner of the globe;

See where she comes, with power to bless,

With open hand, and tender heart,

Which wounded feels at man's distress,

And bleeds at every human smart.

Envy may every ill devise,

And Falsehood be thy deadliest foe,

Thou, Friendship, still shalt towering rise,

And sink thine adversaries low:

Thy well-built pile shall long endure,

Through rolling years preserve its prime,

Upon a rock it stands secure,

And braves the rude assaults of Time.

Ye happy few, who here extend,

In perfect lines, from east to west,

With fervent zeal the Lodge defend,

And lock its secrets in each breast:

Since ye are met upon the square,

Bid Love and Friendship jointly reign

Be Peace and Harmony your care,

Nor break the adamantine chain.

Behold the planets how they move,

Yet keep due order as they run;

Then imitate the Stars above,

And shine resplendent as the Sun:

That future Masons, when they meet,

May all our glorious deeds rehearse,

And say, their Fathers were so great,

That they adorn'd the universe.

  Song.  12.

(Tune-- Arno's Vale)

  When my divine Althća's charms

No more shall kindle soft alarms,

And the keen lightning of her eye

Passes unfelt, unheeded by;

When moral Beauty's heavenly form

Shall cease the frozen soul to warm;

When manners thus corrupt we see,

Farewell the sweets of MASONRY!

When Science shall withdraw her light,

And Error spread a Gothic night;

When Pity's sacred source is dry,

No pearly drop to melt the eye;

When Truth shall hide her blushing head,

And famish'd Virtue beg her bread;

When manners thus corrupt we see,

Farewell the sweets of MASONRY!

But while the fair transport our sight,

And moral Beauty's charms delight;

While Science lifts her torch on high,

And Pity thaws the melting eye;

While Truth maintains despotic power,

And Virtue charms without a dower;

While manners thus unstain'd we see,

All hail, the sweets of MASONRY!

  Song. 13.

  On, on, my dear brethren, pursue your great lecture,

Refine on the precepts of old architecture;

High honour to Masons the Craft daily brings,

Who are brothers of princes, and fellows of kings.

We drove the rude Vandals and Goths off the stage,

Reviving the Art of Augustus' fam'd age;

And Vespasian destroy'd the vast temple in vain,

Since so many now rise where our principles reign.

The noble five Orders, compos'd with such art,

Will amaze the fix'd eye, and engage the whole Heart;

Proportion's sweet harmony gracing the whole,

Gives our work, like the glorious creation, a soul.

Then, Master, and brethren, preserve your great name,

The Lodge so majestic will purchase you fame;

Rever'd it shall stand till all nature expire,

And its glories ne'er fade till the word be on fire.

See, see, behold here, what rewards all our toil,

Invigorates genius, and bids nature smile;

To our noble Grand Master let bumpers be crown'd,

To all Masons, a bumper, so let it go round.

Again, my lov'd brethren, again let it pass,

Our ancient firm union cements with the glass;

And all the contention 'mongst Masons shall be,

Who better can work, or who better agree.

  Song. 14.

  Hail, Masonry, thou craft divine!

Glory of earth, from Heaven reveal'd;

Which doth with jewels precious shine,

From all but Masons eyes conceal'd:

Thy praises due, who can rehearse,

In nervous prose, or flowing verse

  All Craftsmen true distinguish'd are,

Our code all other laws excel;

And what's in knowledge choice and rare,

Within our breasts securely dwell.

The talent breast, the faithful heart,

Preserve the secrets of the Art.

From scorching heat and piercing cold,

From beasts, whose roar the forest rends;

From the assaults of warriors bold,

The Masons' Art mankind defends.

Be to this Art due honour paid,

From which mankind receives such aid.

Ensigns of state that feed our pride,

Distinctions troublesome and vain,

By Masons true are laid aside,

Art's free-born sons such toys disdain;

Ennobled by the name they bear,

Distinguish'd by the badge they wear.

Sweet fellowship, from envy free,

Friendly converse of brotherhood;

The Lodge's lasting cement be,

Which has for ages firmly stood.

The Lodge thus built, for ages past

Has lasted, and shall ever last.

Then let us celebrate the praise

Of all who have enrich'd the Art;

Let gratitude our voices raise,

And each true brother bear a part.

Let cheerful strains their fame resound,

And living Masons' health go round.

  Song. 15.

(Tune-- In Infancy, etc)

  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 Mason's mind

Are Unity and Love.

Ascending to her native sky,

Let Masonry increase;

A glorious pillar rais'd on high,

Integrity its base.

Peace adds to olive boughs, entwin'd,

An emblematic dove,

As stamp'd upon the Masons mind

Are Unity and Love.

 Song. 16.

(Tune--In Infancy)

  Hail, Masonry! thou sacred Art,

Of origin divine!

Kind partner of each social heart,

And fav'rite of the Nine!

By thee we're taught, our acts to square,

To measure life's short span;

And each infirmity to bear

That's incident to man.

Cho. By thee, &c.

Though Envy's tongue should blast thy fame

And Ignorance may sneer,

Yet still thy ancient honour'd name

Is to each brother dear:

Then strike the blow, to charge prepare,

In this we all agree,

"May Freedom be each Mason's care,

"And every Mason free."

Chorus: Then strike the blow, &c

  Song. 17.

  When Heaven design'd that man should know

All that was good and great below;

This was the happy, choice decree,

The blessings of Free-masonry.

Hence Peace and Friendship deign to smile,

Instructive rules the hours beguile:

In social joy and harmony

Are spent the hours of Masonry.

To Beauty's shrine they homage pay,

Its power they know, and own its sway;

And this their toast will always be,

Success to Love and Masonry.

Of modern learning, ancient lore,

Masons possess an ample store;

At faction spurn, but loyalty

Congenial is with Masonry.

When taste and genius both combine,

To shape the stone, or draw the line;

In fair proportion just and free,

All own the power of Masonry.

Whate'er in sculptur'd skill we prize,

Or domes are rear'd, or structures rise;

Such wonders ne'er mankind could see,

But from the help of Masonry.

An edifice we're proud to own,

Of wood not made, nor yet of stone;

Whose angles, squares, and symmetry,

Are emblems of Free-masonry.

It's founded on a brother's love,

Relief and Truth its pillars prove;

Its corner-stone is Charity;

The building's then Freemasonry.

By Nature rear'd, improv'd by art,

The mansion view, a Mason's heart,

Which ne'er was equall'd, all agree,

When modell'd by Freemasonry.

  Song. 18.

(Tune--Mulberry Tree)

Ye sons of fair Science, impatient to learn,

What's meant by a Mason you here may discern;

He strengthens the weak, he gives light to the blind,

And the naked he clothes - is a friend to mankind.

All shall yield to Masonry;

Blest to thee, Blest Masonry;

Matchless was he who founded thee,

And thou, like him, immortal shalt be.

He walks on the level of Honour and Truth,

And spurns the wild passions of Folly and Youth;

The Compass and Square all his frailties reprove,

And his ultimate object is Brotherly Love.

The Temple of Knowledge he nobly doth raise,

Supported by Wisdom, and Learning its base;

When rear'd and adorn'd, strength and beauty unite,

And he views the fair structure with conscious delight.

With Fortitude bless'd, he's a stranger to fears,

And govern'd by Prudence, he cautiously steers;

Till Temperance shews him the port of Content,

And Justice unask'd, gives the sign of consent.

Inspir'd by his feelings, he bounty imparts,

For Charity ranges at large in our hearts;

And an indigent brother reliev'd from his woes,

Feels a pleasure inferior to him who bestows.

Thus a Mason I've drawn, and expos'd to your view,

And Truth must acknowledge the figure is true;

Then members become, let's be brothers and friends,

There's a SECRET remaining will make you amends.

  Song.  19.

(Tune-- God save the King)

  Hail, MASONRY divine!

Glory of ages shine,

Long may'st thou rein!

Where'er thy Lodges stand,

May they have great command,

And always grace the land,

Thou Art divine!

Great fabrics still arise,

And graze the azure skies,

Great are thy schemes!

Thy noble Orders are

Matchless beyond compare:

No Art with thee can share,

Thou Art divine!

Hiram, the architect,

Did all the Craft direct

How they should build;

Sol'mon, great Isr'el's king,

Did mighty blessings bring,

And left us ground to sing, Chorus three times

Hail, royal Art!

  Song. 20.

(By Bro. Noorthouck)

  Let drunkards boast the power of wine,

And reel from side to side;

Let lovers kneel at Beauty's shrine,

The sport of female pride:

Be ours the more exalted part,

To celebrate the Masons' Art,

And spread its praises wide.

To dens and thickets dark and rude

For shelter beasts repair;

With sticks and straws the feather'd brood

Suspend their nests in air;

And man untaught, as wild as these,

Binds up sad huts with boughs of trees,

And feeds on wretched fare.

But science dawning in his mind,

The quarry he explores;

Industry and the Arts combin'd

Improv'd all Nature's stores

Thus walls were built, and houses rear'd,

No storms or tempest now are fear'd

Within his well-fram'd doors.

When stately palaces arise,

When columns grace the hall,

When towers and spires salute the skies,

We owe to Masons all

Nor buildings only do they give,

But teach men how within to live,

And yield to Reason's call.

All party quarrels they detest,

For Virtue and the Arts,

Lodg'd in each true Freemason's breast,

Unite and rule their hearts

By these, while Masons square their minds,

The state no better subjects finds,

None act more upright parts.

When Bucks and Albions are forgot,

Freemasons will remain;

Mushrooms, each day, spring up and rot,

While oaks stretch o'er the plain

Let others quarrel, rant, and roar;

Their noisy revels when no more,

Still Masonry shall reign.

Our leathern aprons we compare

With garters red and blue;

Princes and Kings our brothers are,

While they our rules pursue;

Then drink success and health to all

The Craft around this earthly ball,

May Brethren still prove true!

  Song. 21.

  Come let us prepare,

We brothers that are

Assembled on merry occasion:

To drink, laugh, and sing,

Be he beggar or king,

Here's health to an Accepted Mason.

The world is in pain

Our secrets to gain,

And still let them wonder and gaze on:

They ne'er can divine

The Word or the Sign

Of a Free and an Accepted Mason.

'Tis this, and 'tis that,

They cannot tell what,

Nor why the great men of the nation

Should aprons put on,

And make themselves one,

With a Free and an Accepted Mason.

Great Kings, Dukes, and Lords,

Have laid by their swords,

Our myst'ry to put a good grace on;

And ne'er been asham'd

To hear themselves nam'd

With a free and an Accepted Mason.

Antiquity's pride

We have on our side,

To keep up our old reputation;

There's nought but what's good

To be understood

By a Free and an Accepted Mason.

We're true and sincere,

And just to the Fair,

Who will trail us on any occasion;

No mortal can more

The Ladies adore,

Than a Free and an Accepted Mason.

Then join hand in hand,

By each brother firm stand,

Let's be merry, and put a bright face on;

What mortal can boast

So noble a toast

As a Free and an Accepted Mason?

  Song. 22.

  Ye thrice happy few

Whose hearts have been true,

In concord and unity found;

Let us sing and rejoice,

And unite every voice,

To send the gay chorus around.

  Chorus.

Like pillars we stand,

An immoveable band,

Cemented by power from above;

Then freely let pass

The generous glass

To Masonry, Friendship, and Love.

The Grand Architect,

Whose word did erect

Eternity, measure, and space,

First laid the fair plan

Whereon he began

The cement of friendship and peace.

Whose firmness of hearts,

Fair treasure of Arts,

To the eye of the vulgar unknown;

Whose lustre can beam

New splendor and fame,

To the pulpit, the bar, and the throne,

The great David's son,

The wise Solomon,

As written in Scripture's bright page;

A Mason became,

The fav'rite of Fame,

The wonder and pride of his age.

Indissoluble bands

Our hearts and our hands

In social benevolence bind;

For true to his cause,

By immutable laws

A Mason's a friend to mankind.

Let joy flow around,

And peace, olive bound,

Preside at our mystical rites;

Whose conduct maintains

Our auspicious domains,

And freedom with order unites.

Nor let the dear maid

Our mysteries dread,

Or think them repugnant to love;

To Beauty we bend,

Her empire defend,

An empire deriv'd from above.

Then let us unite

Sincere and upright

On the level of virtue to stand

No mortal can be

So happy as we,

With a brother and friend in each hand.

  Song. 23.

  When a lodge of Freemasons are cloth'd in their aprons,

In order to make a new brother,

With firm hearts and clean hands, they repair to their stands,

And justly support one another.

Trusty brother, take care, of eve-droppers beware,

'Tis a just and a solemn occasion;

Give the Word and the Blow, that workmen may know,

There's one asks to be made a Freemason.

The Master stands due, and his officers too,

While the craftsmen are plying their station;

The apprentices stand, right for the command

Of a Free and an Accepted Mason.

Now traverse your ground, as in duty you're bound,

And revere the authentic oration,

That leads to the way, and proves the first ray

Of the light of an Accepted Mason.

Here's Words, and here's Signs, and here's Problems and Lines,

And here's room too for deep speculation;

Here Virtue and Truth are taught to the Youth,

When first he's call'd up to a Mason.

Hieroglyphics shine bright, and here light reverts light

On the rules and the tools of vocation;

We work and we sing, the Craft and the King,

'Tis both duty and choice in a Mason.

What is said or is done, is here truly laid down

In this form of our high installation;

Yet I challenge all men to know what I mean,

Unless he's an Accepted Mason.

The ladies claim right to come into our light,

Since the Apron, they say, is their bearing;

Can they subject their will, can they keep their tongues still

And let talking be changed into hearing?

This difficult task is the least we can ask,

To secure us on sundry occasions;

When with this they'll comply, our utmost we'll try

To raise Lodges for Lady Freemasons.

Till this can be done, must each brother be mum,

Though the fair one should wheedle and teaze on;

Be just, true, and kind, but still bear in mind

At all times that you are a Freemason.

  Song. 24.

(Tune-- Belleisle March)

  In hist'ry we're told, how the Lodges of old

Arose in the East, and shone forth like the Sun:

But all must agree, that divine Masonry

Commenced when the glorious creation begun,

With glory divine; oh, long may'st thou shine,

Thou choicest of blessings, derived from above!

Then charge bumpers high, and with shouts rend the sky,

To Masonry, Friendship, and brotherly Love.

Chorus: With glory divine, &c.

Judea's great king, whose vast praises we sing,

With wisdom contriv'd, while the Temple he plann'd;

The mysterious Art then took place in each heart,

And Hiram with Solomon went hand in hand:

While each royal Name was recorded in fame,

Their works Earth and Heaven did jointly approve;

Then charge bumpers high, and with shouts rend the sky,

To Masonry, Friendship, and brotherly Love.

Chorus: While each royal, &c.

Then Masons were true, and the Craft daily grew;

They liv'd within compass, and work'd by the square;

In friendship they dwelt, no ambition they felt,

Their deeds were upright, and their consciences clear;

On this noble plan Freemasons began,

To help one another they mutually strove;

Then charge bumpers high, and with shouts rend the sky,

To Masonry, Friendship, and brotherly Love.

Chorus: On this noble plan, &c.

Those maxims pursue, and your passions subdue,

And imitate those worthy Masons of yore;

Fix a Lodge in each breast, be fair Virtue your guest,

Let Wisdom preside, and let Truth tile the door:

So shall we arise, to an immortal prize,

In that blissful Lodge which no time can remove;

Then charge bumpers high, and with shouts rend the sky,

To Masonry, Friendship, and brotherly Love.

Chorus: So shall we arise, &c.

  Song. 25.

(By Bro. John Richardson, of the Royal Brunswick Lodge, Sheffield.]

  " O what a happy thing it is,

Brethren to dwell in unity:"

Whilst ev'ry action's squar'd by this,

The true base-line of Masonry,

Our plumb-rule fixed to the point,

The Angle of Uprightness shews

From side to side, from joint to joint,

By steps the stately mansion rose.

Whate'er the order of the plan,

The parts will with the whole agree;

For, by a geometric man,

The work is done in symmetry.

From East to West, from North to South,

Far as the foaming billows roll;

Faith, Hope, and silver-braided Truth,

Shall stamp with worth the Mason's soul.

But, chiefest come, sweet Charity,

Meek, tender, hospitable guest;

Aided by those, inspir'd by thee,

How tranquil is the Mason's breast!

An olive branch thy forehead binds,

The gift that peerless Prudence gave;

An emblem of congenial minds,

And such masonic brethren have.

  Song. 26.

(Bro.Robert Burns  To the brethren of ST. Jame's Lodge, Tarbolton)

  (Tune-- Good night and joy be wi' you a')

Adieu! a heart warm, fond adieu!

Dear brothers of the mystic tie!

Ye favour'd, ye enlighten'd few,

Companions of my social joy!

Tho' I to foreign lands must hie,

Pursuing fortune's slidd'ry ba',

With melting heart, and brimful eye,

I'll mind you still, tho' far awa'!

Oft have I met your social band,

And spent the cheerful festive night;

Oft, honour'd with supreme command,

Presided o'er the sons of light

And by that hieroglyphic bright,

Which none but Craftsmen ever saw;

Strong mem'ry on my heart shall write

Those happy scenes, when far awa'!

May Freedom, Harmony, and Love,

Unite you in the grand design,

Beneath th' omniscient eye above,

The glorious Architect divine!

That you may keep th' unerring line,

Still rising, by the plummet's law,

Till order bright completely shine,

Shall be my pray'r when far awa'!

And you, farewell! whose merits claim

Justly that highest badge to wear;

Heav'n bless your honour'd, noble name,

To Masonry and Scotia dear!

A last request - permit me here,

When yearly ye assemble a',

One round, I ask it with a tear,

To him, "The Bard that's far awa'!"  

( This is the famous song composed by the Masonic Poet Laureate Robert Burns, bidding farewell to his Lodge)

  Song. 27.

  As long as our coast shall with whiteness appear,

Still Masons stand foremost in verse;

While Harmony, Friendship, and Joys are held dear,

New bands shall our praises rehearse.

  Chorus.

Tho' lodges less favour'd, less happy, decay,

Destroy'd by old Time as he runs;

Tho' Albions, Gregorians, and Bucks, fade away,

Still Masons shall live, shall live in their sons.

If Envy attempt our success to impede,

United we'll trample her down;

If Faction should threaten, we'll shew we're agreed,

And Discord shall own we are one.

Chorus: Tho' lodges, &c.

While with ardour we glow this our Order to raise,

Promoting its welfare and peace,

Old Masons return our endeavours to praise,

And new ones confirm the increase.

Chorus: Tho' lodges, &c.

Go on, cry our parents, for Time is your friend,

His flight shall increase your renown;

And Mirth shall your guest be, and Bacchus attend,

And joy all your meetings shall crown.

Chorus: Tho' lodges, &c.

  Song. 28.

(On the Revival of Masonry in Cornwall.--Tune-- Vicar of Bray)

  When Masonry expiring lay,

By knaves and fools rejected,

Without one hope, one cheering ray,

By worthless fools neglected;

Fair Virtue fled,

Truth hung her head,

O'erwhelm'd in deep confusion;

Sweet Friendship too

Her smiles withdrew

From this blest Institution.

Cho. Fair Virtue fled, &c.

Cornubia's sons determin'd then

Freemasonry to cherish,

They rous'd her into life again,

And bid fair Science flourish.

Now Virtue bright,

Truth rob'd in white,

With Friendship hither hastens,

All go in hand,

To bless the band

Of upright Cornish Masons.

Cho. Now Virtue bright, &c.

Since Masonry's reviv'd once more,

Pursue her wise directions,

Let Circumspection go before,

And Virtue square your actions;

Unite your hands

In Friendship's bands,

Supporting one another;

With honest heart,

Fair Truth impart,

To every faithful brother.

Cho. Unite your hands, &c.

Let coxcombs grin, and critics sneer,

While we are blythe and jolly,

Let sops despise the badge we wear,

We laugh at all their folly;

Let empty fools

Despise our rules,

By Jove we ne'er will heed 'em;

Say what they will,

We're Masons still,

And will support our freedom.

Cho. Let empty fools, &c.

But may kind Heaven's gracious hand

Still regulate each action;

May every lodge securely stand

Again the storms of faction,

May Love and Peace

Each day increase

Throughout this happy nation,

May they extend,

Till all shall end

In one great conflagration.

Chorus: May Love, &c.

  Song. 29.

(Sung at a Provincial Grand Lodge for the County of Cornwall,

held at Truro on the Festival of St. John the Baptist, 24th June, 1779)

(Tune—Casino)

  Come, ye Masons, hither bring

The tuneful pipe and pleasing string,

Exalt each voice,

Aloud rejoice,

And make the spacious concave ring

Let your hearts be blythe and gay,

Joy and mirth let all display,

No dull care

Shall enter here,

For this is Masons' holiday.

Cho. Let your hearts, &c.

Friendship here has fix'd her seat,

And Virtue finds a calm retreat;

Go tell the fool,

'Tis Wisdom's school,

Where Love and Honour always meet.

Cho. Let your hearts, &c.

Social pleasures here invite,

To fill the soul with sweet delight,

While hand in hand

Our friendly band

In Love and Harmony unite.

Cho. Let your hearts, &c.

May we oft assemble here,

And long the badge of honour wear,

May joy abound,

And we be found

For ever faithful and sincere.

Cho. Let your hearts, &c.

Take the flowing glass in hand,

And drink to your Provincial Grand,

Long may he reign,

The cause maintain,

And lodges flourish through the land.

Chorus: Let your hearts, &c,

  Song. 30.

(By Bro.J. Bisset, Steward of ST. Albans Lodge,

 and Provincial G. S. for the County of Warwick.)

  A Mason's  life's the life for me,

With joy we meet each other,

We pass our time with mirth and glee,

And hail each friendly brother:

In lodge no party-feuds are seen,

But careful we in this agree,

To banish care or spleen.

The Master's call, we one and all

With pleasure soon obey;

With heart and hand we ready stand,

Our duty still to pay.

But when the glass goes round,

Then mirth and glee abound,

We're all happy to a man:

We laugh a little, we drink a little,

We work a little, we play a little,

Cho. We laugh, &c.

We sing a little, are merry a little,

And swig the flowing can.

And swig, &c.

See in the east the Master stands,

The Wardens south and west, Sir,

Both ready to obey command,

Find work, or give us rest, Sir.

The signal given, we all prepare,

With one accord obey the word,

To work by rule or square

Or if they please, the ladder raise,

Or plum the level line;

Thus we employ our time with joy,

Attending every sign.

But when the glass goes round,

Then mirth and glee abound,

We're all happy to a man;

We laugh a little, and drink a little,

We work a little, and play a little,

Cho. We laugh, &c.

We sing a little, are merry a little,

And swig the flowing can.

Th' Almighty said, "Let there be light,"

Effulgent rays appearing

Dispell'd the gloom, the glory bright

To this new world was cheering;

But unto Masonry alone,

Another light, so clear and bright,

In mystic rays then shone;

From east to west it spread so fast,

That, Faith and Hope unfurl'd,

We hail with joy sweet Charity,

The darling of the world.

Then while the toast goes round,

Let mirth and glee abound,

Let's be happy to a man;

We'll laugh a little, and drink a little,

We'll work a little, and play a little,

Cho. We'll laugh, &c.

We'll sing a little, be merry a little,

And swig the flowing can.

  Song. 31.

(Tune-- From the East breaks the Morn)

  Whilst each poet sings, of great princes and kings,

To no such does my ditty belong;

To no such does my ditty belong;

'Tis freedom I praise, that demands all my lays,

And Masonry honours my song.

And Masonry honours my song.

Cho. 'Tis freedom I praise, &c.

Within compass to live, is a lesson we give,

Which none can deny to be true;

Which none can, &c.

All our actions to square, to the time we take care,

And Virtue we ever pursue;

And Virtue we ever, &c.

Chorus: All our actions, &c.

On a level we are, all true brothers share

The gifts which kind Heaven bestows;

The gifts, &c,

In friendship we dwell; none but Masons can tell

What bliss from such harmony flows;

What bliss, &c.

Chorus: In friendship we, &c.

In our mystical school, we must all work by rule,

And our secrets we always conceal;

And our, etc.

Then let's sing and rejoice, and unite every voice,

With fe0-

\rvency, freedom, and zeal;

With fervency, &c.

Chorus: Then let's sing, &c.

Then each fill a glass, let the circling toast pass,

And merrily send it around;

And merrily, &c.

Let us Masonry hail, may it ever prevail,

With success may it ever be crown'd!

With success, &c.

Chorus: Let us Masonry, &e.

    Song. 32.

(By Bro. Stanfield.  Tune-- Contented I am)

  Grave bus'ness being clos'd - and a call from the south-

The bowl of refreshment we drain

Yet e'en o'er our wine we reject servile sloth,

And our rites 'midst our glasses retain.

My brave boys, &c.

With loyalty brighten'd, we first toast the King -

May his splendour and virtues entwine!-

And, to honour his name, how we make the lodge ring,

When the King and the Craft we combine.

May the Son's polish'd graces improve on the Sire -

May the arts flourish fair from his smile -

And long our Grand Master, with wisdom and fire,

Give beauty and strength to the pile!

As the ruby-lip'd wine its soft spirit imparts,

Louder strains and fresh ardours abound:

What a glow of true pleasure enlivens our hearts,

When our honour'd Provincial goes round.

The absent we claim, tho' dispers'd round the ball -

The silent and secret, our friends -

And one honour'd guest, at our magical call,

From the grave of concealment ascends.

Immortal the strain, and thrice-awful the hand,

That our rites and libations controuls;

Like the sons of Olympus, 'midst thunders we stand,

And with mysteries ennoble our bowls.

What a circle appears, when the border entwines -

How grapple the links to each soul!

'Tis the zodiac of friendship embellish'd with signs,

And illum'd by the star in the pole.

Thus cemented by laws, unseen and unknown,

The universe hangs out its frame:

And, thus secretly bound, shall our structure be shewn,

Till creation shall be but a name.

  Song. 34.

(Tune-- Balance a Straw)

  When the Sun from the East first salutes mortal eyes,

And the sky-lark melodiously bids us arise;

With our hearts full of joy, we the summons obey,

Straight repair to our work, and to moisten our clay.

On the trassel our Master draws angles and lines,

There with freedom and fervency forms his designs;

Not a picture on earth is so lovely to view,

All his lines are so perfect, his angles so true.

In the West see the Wardens submissively stand,

The Master to aid, and obey his command;

The intent of his signals we perfectly know,

And we ne'er take offence when he gives us a blow.

In the Lodge, sloth and dulness we always avoid,

Fellow-crafts and apprentices all are employ'd;

Perfect ashlers some finish, some make the rough plain,

All are pleas'd with their work, and are pleas'd with their gain.

When my Master I've serv'd seven years, perhaps more,

Some secrets he'll tell me I ne'er knew before;

In my bosom I'll keep them as long as I live,

And pursue the directions his wisdom shall give.

I'll attend to his call both by night and by day,

It is his to command, and 'tis mine to obey;

Whensoe'er we are met, I'll attend to his nod,

And I'll work till high twelve, then I'll lay down my hod.

THE END.