THE ENTERED APPRENTICE’S SONG

This old song (with its proper tune) is ascribed by Dr. Anderson, in the first Edition of the Constitution Book (1723), “to our late Brother, Mr Mathew Birkhead, deceased. To be sung when all grave business is over, and with the Master’s leave”.

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. (All charged)

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.

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.