The Secretary's Song

Ye brethren of the ancient craft,
  Ye fav'rite sons of fame,
Let bumpers cheerfully be quaff'd
   To great _________'s name:
Happy, long happy may he be,
Who loves and honours masonry.
   With a fa, la, la, la, la.

In vain would D'anvers with his wit *
   Our slow resentment raise;
What he and all mankind have writ
   But celebrates our praise.
His wit this only truth imparts,
That masons have firm faithful hearts.
   With a fa, la, la, la, la.

Ye British fair, for beauty fam'd,
   Your slaves we wish to be;
Let none for charms like yours be nam'd,
   That loves not masonry.
This maxim D'anvers proves full well,
That masons never kiss and tell.
   With a fa, la, la, la, la.

True masons! no offences give,
   Let fame your worth declare,
Within your compass wisely live,
   And act upon the square:
May peace and friendship e'er abound,
And great _________'s health go round.
   With a fa, la, la, la, la.

* That those who hang'd Capt. Porteous at Edinburgh were all Free Masons, because they kept their own Secrets. See Craftsman, 16th April 1736, No.563.

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Copyright © 2001, Jack Campin