poem called “I Heard 3 Knocks”
I heard three knocks on the Temple door,
and then it was opened wide:
I felt the grip of a Masons hand,
as I slowly passed inside.
I was lowered down on bended knees,
as a prayer was said for me:
And I was helped to pass around,
for the Brethren all to see.
And all to me was black as night,
as my leader took me round:
And my racing heart, I heard more clear,
than the solemn organ’s sound.
My faltering footsteps here and there,
were halted on the way;
And several questions were put to me,
as I struggled not to sway.
With my right hand resting on the “law,”
I took my obligation;
I swore I’d be a Mason true,
at my Initiation.
I shall not tell more what I saw,
or what to me was spoken;
But I saw the sign and heard the word,
and I felt the Mason’s token.
I’ll tell you this, that I heard a charge,
which I later learnt by heart;
and it told me all that a man should do,
as a Mason from the start.
It matters not if you pass the Chair,
or reach the highest station;
The best event of a Mason’s life,
is his initiation.
The Entered Apprentice’s Song
1.–Solo:
Come, let us prepare; We Brothers that are
Met together on merry Occasion;
Let’s drink, laugh and sing; Our Wine has a Spring,
Here’s a health to an Accepted Mason.
Chorus:
Let’s drink, laugh and sing; Our Wine has a Spring,
Here’s a health to an Accepted Mason.
2.–Solo:
The world is in pain our secrets to gain,
But still let them wonder and gaze on;
‘Til they’re shown the Light; They’ll ne’er know the Right
Word or Sign of an Accepted Mason.
Chorus:
‘Til they’re shown the Light; They’ll ne’er know the Right
Word or Sign of an Accepted Mason.
3.–Solo:
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 or an Accepted Mason.
Chorus:
Should Aprons put on, To make themselves one.
With a Free or an Accepted Mason.
4.–Solo:
Great Kings Dukes and Lords have laid by their swords,
This our Mist’ry to put a good grace on;
And ne’er been ashamed to hear themselves named
With a Free or an Accepted Mason.
Chorus:
And ne’er been ashamed to hear themselves named
With a Free or an Accepted Mason.
5.–Solo :
Antiquity’s pride We have on our side,
It makes each man just in his station;
There’s nought but what’s good to be understood
By a Free or an Accepted Mason.
Chorus:
There’s nought but what’s good to be understood
By a Free or an Accepted Mason.
6.–Solo :
We’re true and sincere, We’re 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.
Chorus:
No mortal can more The Ladies adore
Than a Free and an Accepted Mason.
All standing and joining hand, right over left
7.–Solo :
Then joyn hand in hand, T’each other firm stand;
Let’s be merry and put a bright face on:
What mortal can boast so noble a toast
As a Free or an Accepted Mason.
Chorus:
What mortal can boast so noble a toast
As a Free or an Accepted Mason
Master’s Song
1.-Solo:
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.
All sing Chorus:
And here’s to his health, here’s to his health
And here’s to his health in a song.
2.-Solo:
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.
All sing Chorus
3.-Solo:
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.
All standing sing chorus
The Installation of the Master Elect
Stand forth O worthy Craftsmen,
In order’s fair array,
Stand forth with strains of gladness,
To greet our festal day.
Praise we the Great Creator,
Our hearts and voices raise,
His gates with songs to enter,
And tread His courts with praise.
Here joined in holy union,
Assembling year by year,
With one accord to serve Him,
We in the Lodge appear.
So with a joyful anthem,
Our praises shall unite:
May this our humble service,
Be pleasing in His sight.
So Mote It Be.
Lodge
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
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
Third Degree
Days and moments quickly flying,
Blend the living with the dead;
Soon will you and I be lying
Each within his narrow bed.
Soon our souls to God Who gave them
Will have sped their rapid flight;
Able now by grace to save them,
Oh! that while we can we might.
As the tree falls, so must it lie;
As the man lives, so must he die;
As the man dies, so must he be
All through the days of eternity.
So mote it be.
–