THESE BE OUR SONGS, WE SING
FROM THE HEART AT EVERY MEETING BEFORE WE DEPART
THE ENTERED APPRENTICE SONG
Matthew Birkhead circa 1722
Come let us prepare,
We Brothers that are
Assembled on merry occasion;
Let's drink, laugh and sing:
Our wine has a Spring:
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,
Why so many Great Men of the Nation
Should aprons put on,
To 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 ashamed
To hear themselves named
With a Free and an Accepted Mason.
Antiquity's pride
We have on our side,
And it maketh men just in their station
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:
They'll trust us on any occasion:
No mortal can more
The Ladies adore
Than a Free and an Accepted Mason.
Then join Hand in Hand,
To each other firm stand;
Lets be merry, and put a bright face on:
What mortal can boast
So Noble a Toast
As a Free and an Accepted Mason.
CHORUS
No Mortal can boast
So Noble a Toast
As a Free and an Accepted Mason.
MASONIC SONGS
THE MASTERS SONG
Master's Song
This world is so hard and so stony;
That if a man is to get through,
He'd need have the courage of Nelson,
And plenty of Job's patience too.
But a man who is kind to another
And cheerfully helps him along,
God Bless such a man and a brother,
And here's to his health in a song.
And here's to his health, here's to his health
And here’s to his health in a song.
And here's to his health, here's to his health
And here's to his health in a song.
This life is as cheerless as Winter,
To those who are cold in the heart;
but a man who is warm in his nature,
Bids Winter for ever depart
The ground that he treads on will blossom,
`Till beauty around him shall throng;
God Bless such a man and a brother,
And here's to his health in a song.
And here's to his health; here's to his health
And here's to his health in a song.
As clouds that in sunshine are open,
And silvered by light passing through;
So men who are generous in spirit,
Are blessed by the good deeds they do;
There's nothing like helping another
For getting one's own self along;
Who does this is truly a brother.
And here’s to his health in a song.
And here's to his health; here's to his health
And here’s to his health in a song.
For these and all Thy mercies given,
We bless and praise Thy Name, O Lord;
May we receive them with thanksgiving,
Ever trusting in Thy word.
To Thee alone be honour, glory,
Now and henseforth for evermore.
So mote it be.
GRACE
Opening Ode
Hail! Eternal! by whose aid
All created things were made;
Heaven and earth Thy vast design;
Hear us, Architect Divine!
May our work begun in Thee,
Ever blest with order be;
And may we when labours cease,
Part in harmony and peace.
By Thy Glorious Majesty-
By the trust we place in Thee-
By the badge and mystic sign-
Hear us! Architect Divine!
So mote it be
ETERNAL FATHER, STRONG TO SAVE
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea.
Great Archetect of love and power,
Our brethern shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire & foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
So mote it be
Closing Ode
Now the evening shadows closing.
Warn from toil to peaceful rest;
Mystic arts and rights reposing
Sacred in each faithful breast.
God of Light, whose love unceasing
Doth to all Thy works extend,
Crown our Order with Thy blessing,
Build,-sustain us to the end.
Humbly now we bow before Thee,
Grateful for Thy aid divine;
Everlasting power and glory,
Mighty Architect! be Thine.
So mote it be
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