Songs for the Craft Festive Board
AJPO16CD - Song texts

Vocals
and
piano

Piano only

01 UK National Anthem 1 verse

17 Grace, For these and all Thy mercies (Laudie Spiritualie)

18 Architect in thy Great Mercy (Cairnbrook)                            

19 Architect in thy Great Mercy (Stephanos)

20 Eternal Father, Strong To Save (Melita)     <<back

Eternal Father strong to save, Whose arm hath bind the restless wave. Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep, Its own appointed limits keep: O hear us when we cry to Thee; For hose in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power, sustain our soul in dangers hour Through wreck and tempest, grief and loss, renew the triumph of the cross. And ever let their rise to Thee, Glad Hymns of praise from land and sea.
So mote it be.

21 Entered Apprentice Song.     <<back             

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 a health to an Accepted Mason. (repeat)

The world is in pain our secrets to gain and still let them wonder and gaze on. Till they're shown the light they'll ne'er know the right, word or sign of a Free and Accepted Mason (repeat)'

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. (repeat)

Great Kings, Dukes and Lords have laid by their swords, Our mystery to put a good grace on. And ne'er been ashamed to hear themselves named, with a Free and an Accepted Mason. (repeat)

Antiquities 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. (repeat)

We're true and sincere and just to the fair, they'll trust us on every occasion. No mortal can more the Ladies adore, than a Free and an Accepted Mason (repeat)

Then join hand in hand, to 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 and an Accepted Mason. (repeat) 

22 Here’s a Health to Our Worshipful Master.   <<back

We have toasts in the Craft among others, that especially thrill through the breast. While singing in praise of our brothers, who rightly rule over the rest. The blood in our veins flows faster as the toast is proposed loud and free of our excellent Worshipful Master, for a jolly good Mason is He.

Chorus Here's a Health to our Worshipful Master beloved of us all on the square, let his name in the Craft with all honours be quaft and prosper the art everywhere. (repeat)

Though we greet him with hearty ovation, as a monarch o'er all he surveys, we must help him on every occasion, his banner Masonic to raise. Our love and obedience requite him, our zeal in the cause gives him bliss and our harmonies ever delight him with a chorus as friendly as this.

Here's a Health to our Worshipful Master beloved of us all on the square, let his name in the Craft with all honours be quaft and prosper the art everywhere.(repeat)

At the sound of his voice or his Gavel, let smiling attention prevail. None dreaming to cark or to cavil but silently utter "All Hail". May his year be a season of gladness, His cup and his cuboard be full. And our way to ward off care and sadness is with him together to pull.

Here's a Health to our Worshipful Master beloved of us all on the square, let his name in the Craft with all honours be quaft and prosper the art everywhere.(repeat)

22 Here’s a Health to Our Worshipful Master.          

23 Hail! Worthy Master Hail! 

24 Here’s to His Health in a Song.           <<back

This world is so hard and so stoney, that if a man is to get through, he need have the courage of Nelson and plenty of Job's patience too. But a man who is kind to another and cheefully helps him along. God Bless such a man and his brother and here's to his health in a song.

Chorus: And here's to his health, here's to his health; And here's to his health in a song. (repeat)

This life is as cheerless as Winter, to those who are cold in the heart. But the man who is warm in his nature, it's Winter forever depart. The ground that he treads on will blossom 'till beauties around him shall throng,  God Bless such a man and his brother and here's to his health in a song.

Chorus: And here's to his health, here's to his health; And here's to his health in a song. (repeat)

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, forgetting ones own self along, who does this is truly a brother and here's to his health in a song.

Chorus: And here's to his health, here's to his health; And here's to his health in a song. (repeat three times)

24 Here’s to His Health in a Song.   

25 Visitors` Song.    <<back              

Brethren from the East and West, who have stood the Tyler's test. You will find a welcome here. Bright, fraternal and sincere.

Chorus: Warm Masonic hearts to meet you, hands of fellowship to greet you, may our welcome here today, cheer each brother on his  way.

We salute the man of worth, Whether high or low his birth, Whatsoever be his lot. Rich or poor it matters not.

Chorus: Warm Masonic hearts to meet you, hands of fellowship to greet you, may our welcome here today, cheer each brother on his  way.

And when we have said "Adieu", may our love remain with you. And may we renew that love in a Grander Lodge above.

Chorus: Warm Masonic hearts to meet you, hands of fellowship to greet you, may our welcome here today, cheer each brother on his  way.

26 The Tyler’s Song. (The Goodnight Song)   <<back

"Are your glasses charged in the West and South"? the Worshipful Master cries. "They are charged in the West"! "They are charged in the South"! Are the Warden's prompt replies. Then to our final Toast tonight your glasses freely drain; Happy to Meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.

Chorus: Happy to meet again, happy to meet again, happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.

"Did you hear the Toast in the West and South"? The Worshipful Master cries. "It was heard in the West"! "It was heard in the South"! Are the Warden's prompt replies. To all poor Masons of the Craft relief from want and pain: Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.

Chorus: Happy to meet again, happy to meet again, happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.

Now your work is done in the West and South the night is waning fast, the Worshipful Master is moved to say, "This Toast shall be the last".  Goodnight, God speed and once again repeat the farewell strain: Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.

Chorus: Happy to meet again, happy to meet again, happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again. (repeat)

26 The Parting Song (The Goodnight Song)      <<back

"Are your glasses charged in the West and South"? the Worshipful Master cries. "They are charged in the West"! "They are charged in the South"! Are the Warden's prompt replies. Then to our final Toast tonight your glasses freely drain; Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.

Chorus: Happy to meet again, happy to meet again, happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.

Amidst our mirth we drink to all poor Masons o`er the world,
In every clime a flag of love is gloriously unfurled.
We prize each Brother fair or dark who bears no moral stain.
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.

Chorus: Happy to meet again, happy to meet again, happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.

Ye Brethren of the Mystic Art the night is waning fast,
Our feast is o`er, Our work is done, this Toast must be Our
last. Goodnight, Goodnight, Once more, Once more, repeat the
well known strain.
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.

Chorus: Happy to meet again, happy to meet again, happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again. (repeat)

27 We meet upon the Level and part upon the Square         

28 Happy have we met, Happy may we part.