Classic Poem

Men and brethren , hear me tell you
What we Masons vowed to do,
When, prepared at mythic altar;
We assumed the Masons' vow:
Hand and foot, knee, breast and back,
Listen to the charge they make.
Men and brethren , God be with you
While you keep the charge they make!

Hand to hand , in mystic meeting,
Thrills the Masons' cordial clasp,
Telling of a deathless greeting
Linked in this fraternal grasp:
While upon God's earth we stand
Truth and love go hand in hand:
Men and brethren , God is with you
While in loving grasp ye stand!

Foot to foot , he stands before you
Upright in the plummet's line!
Share with him your manly vigor,
Be to him the power divine.
While he keeps the unerring law.

Never let your foot withdraw.
Men and brethren , God be with you,
While ye keep the unerring law!
Knee to knee , in earnest worship,
None but God to hear and heed,
All our woes and sins confessing,
Let us for each other plead.
By the spirit of our call
Let us pray for Brothers all.

Men and brethren , God be with you,
While ye pray for Brothers all!
Breast to breast , in sacred casket,
At life's center let us seal
Every truth to us intrusted,
Nor one holy thing reveal.
What a Mason vows to shield
Die he may, but never yield.
Men and Brethren , God be with you,
While your mysteries you shield!

Hand to back , no base-born slander
Shall assail an absent friend;
We from every four aspersion
Will the honored name defend,
Warding from a Brother's heart
Slander's vile, envenomed dart.
Men and Brethren , God be with you,
Warding slander's venomed dart!

Let us, then, in earnest ponder
What we Masons vowed to do,
When prepared at mythic altar
We assumed the Mason's vow.
Hand and foot, knee, breast and back,
Heed the solemn charge they make.
Men and Brethren , God be with you,
While you heed the charge they make!