Masonic Poetry Page
Greetings Brethren , here is a small selection of Poetry I have gathered from contacts etc.
A Masonic Toast
To him that all things understood, To him that found the stone and the wood, To him that hapless lost his blood In doing of his duty. To that blest age, and that blest morn Wherein those three great men were born, Our noble science to adorn With Wisdom, Strength and Beauty
THE MASONIC RING
Those men who help my dad each day,
They wear those mason rings.
A Square and Compass set in gold,
The praise of which I sing.
My dad, he hurt his back you know,
One cold and wintry day.
He slipped and fell upon the ice,
The insurance would not pay.
And since that time those rings I see,
On hands that help us much.
With mowing lawns and hauling trash,
Each day my heart they touch.
They even built a house for me,
Amid our backyard tree.
Where all the neighbour kids,
Would play with laughter full of glee.
My Mom she cried from happiness,
The time the Masons came.
To aid our family in distress,
Without a thought of gain.
And when I'm big,
just like my dad,
Of this it must be told.
I want to wear a ring like his,
A Square and Compass gold.
Long years have passed
since when My dad was in that plaster cast.
And since I swore that Solemn Oath,
Which unites us to the last.
But more than that I'm proud to say,
I wear his Mason ring.
The one dad wore for many years,
Until his death this spring.
And one last time his comrades came,
To aid my weeping mother.
They praised and bid a fond farewell,
To our fallen Brother.
And after which MY son did ask,
About their Aprons white.
And of the rings upon their hands.
Of gold so shiny bright.
With tearful eyes I said with pride,
They're men of spirit pure.
Those men who wear those Mason rings,
Of that you can be sure.
And before he went to bed that night,
The family he foretold.
Someday I'll wear a ring like dad's,
A Square and Compass gold.
Ten Master Masons
Ten Master Masons, happy, doing fine; One listened to a rumour, then there were nine.
Nine Master Masons, faithful, never late; One didn't like the "Master", then there were eight.
Eight Master Masons, on their way to heaven; One joined to many clubs, then there were seven.
Seven Master Masons, life dealt some hard licks; One grew discouraged, then there were six.
Six Master Masons, all very much alive; One lost his interest, then there were five.
Five Master Masons, wishing there were more; Got into a great dispute, then there were four.
Four Master Masons, busy as could be; One didn't like the programs, then there were three.
Three Master Masons, was one of them you? One grew tired of all the work, then there were two.
Two Master Masons with so much to be done; One said "What's the use?" then there was one.
One Master Mason, found a brother - true! Brought him to the Lodge, then there were two.
Two Master Masons didn't find work a bore; Each brought another, then there were four.
Four Master Masons saved their Lodge's fate; By showing others kindness, then there were eight.
Eight Master Masons, loving their Lodge's bright sheen; Talked so much about it, they soon counted sixteen.
Sixteen Master Masons, to their obligations true; Were pleased when their number went to thirty-two.
So we can't put our troubles at the Lodge's door; It's our fault for harming the Lodge we adore.
Don't fuss about the programs or the "Master" in the East; Keep your obligation by serving even the very least.
With Wisdom, Strength and Beauty
Those men who help my dad each day,
They wear those mason rings.
A Square and Compass set in gold,
The praise of which I sing.
My dad, he hurt his back you know,
One cold and wintry day.
He slipped and fell upon the ice,
The insurance would not pay.
And since that time those rings I see,
On hands that help us much.
With mowing lawns and hauling trash,
Each day my heart they touch.
They even built a house for me,
Amid our backyard tree.
Where all the neighbour kids,
Would play with laughter full of glee.
My Mom she cried from happiness,
The time the Masons came.
To aid our family in distress,
Without a thought of gain.
And when I'm big,
just like my dad,
Of this it must be told.
I want to wear a ring like his,
A Square and Compass gold.
Long years have passed
since when My dad was in that plaster cast.
And since I swore that Solemn Oath,
Which unites us to the last.
But more than that I'm proud to say,
I wear his Mason ring.
The one dad wore for many years,
Until his death this spring.
And one last time his comrades came,
To aid my weeping mother.
They praised and bid a fond farewell,
To our fallen Brother.
And after which MY son did ask,
About their Aprons white.
And of the rings upon their hands.
Of gold so shiny bright.
With tearful eyes I said with pride,
They're men of spirit pure.
Those men who wear those Mason rings,
Of that you can be sure.
And before he went to bed that night,
The family he foretold.
Someday I'll wear a ring like dad's,
A Square and Compass gold.
Banquet Night
"ONCE in so often," King Solomon said, Watching his quarrymen drill the stone, "We will club our garlic and wine and bread And banquet together beneath my Throne, And all the Brethren shall come to that mess As Fellow-Craftsmen-no more and no less."
"Send a swift shallop to Hiram of Tyre, Felling and floating our beautiful trees, Say that the Brethren and I desire Talk with our Brethren who use the seas. And we shall be happy to meet them at mess As Fellow-Craftsmen-no more and no less."
"Carry this message to Hiram Abif- Excellent master of forge and mine :- I and the Brethren would like it if He and the Brethren will come to dine (Garments from Bozrah or morning-dress) As Fellow-Craftsmen-no more and no less."
"God gave the Hyssop and Cedar their place- Also the Bramble, the Fig and the Thorn- But that is no reason to black a man's face Because he is not what he hasn't been born. And, as touching the Temple, I hold and profess We are Fellow-Craftsmen-no more and no less."
So it was ordered and so it was done, And the hewers of wood and the Masons of Mark, With foc'sle hands of Sidon run And Navy Lords from the Royal Ark, Came and sat down and were merry at mess As Fellow-Craftsmen-no more and no less.
The Quarries are hotter than Hiram's forge, No one is safe from the dog-whip's reach. It's mostly snowing up Lebanon gorge, And it's always blowing off Joppa beach;
But once in so often, the messenger brings Solomon's mandate : "Forget these things! Brother to Beggars and Fellow to Kings, Companion of Princes-forget these things! Fellow-Craftsmen, forget these things!"
IN THE EAST
that veil the heavenly blue,
the Master sits within the East,
and checks on what you do.
prosaic though they be,
the rule of plumb and square observe
for all the world to see.
your tools you lay away,
'twill be how well your work was done
on which he'll base your pay.
and seek to enter in,
'tis only He can vouch for you,
and free you from your sin.
o trappings, rich and rare,
'tis heart and mind and love of man
that grants you welcome there!
Our wives and families we salute;
We surely know the price you pay,
Who sit alone while we're away.
In Lodge, your name is seldom heard;
You serve our cause though out of sight,
While sitting home alone tonight.
Awards are given, fit to frame;
But yours is absent...you who strive,
To keep our fortitude alive.
On your encouragement we feed;
Without your blessings, how could we,
Continue acts of charity?
To every Master Mason's mate;
And offer our undying love,
Rewards await in Heaven above.
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