masonic song
tune—“shawn-boy,” or “over the water to charlie.”
ye sons of old killie, assembled by willie,
to follow the noble vocation;
your thrifty old mother has scarce such another
to sit in that honoured station.
i've little to say, but only to pray,
as praying's the ton of your fashion;
a prayer from thee muse you well may excuse
'tis seldom her favourite passion.
ye powers who preside o'er the wind, and the tide,
who marked each element's border;
who formed this frame with beneficent aim,
whose sovereign statute is order:—
within this dear mansion, may wayward contention
or withered envy ne'er enter;
may secrecy round be the mystical bound,
and brotherly love be the centre!