Lyr. Add: A New Free Mason's Song

When Adam first in the garden wept,
Along with his companion Eve,
He to her did say in the cool of the day,
How could you break my command?
She was not asham'd, who could her blame,
For kissing her love with his apron on.

It being the twenty-fourth of June,
When all things were both fresh and fair,
Drums and fifes before us play'd,
Unto the church we march'd along,
Where the scriptures are made known,
To brethern love we did agree,
God bless the lad with his apron on.

For to see the sun in his bright beams,
That shines all o'er the virgin plain,
The moon by night she gives her light,
To each freeborn son of man;
And when all things are fresh and bloom,
The pretty maids are not ashamed,
To kiss the lad with his apron on.

Did you hear the masons word?
Was whisper'd round the other night,
There is no maids dare us anoint,
Nor can, to put us in a fright,
So brethern dear be of good cheer,
Our brandy is both stout and strong,
Twelve times a year we must appear,
God bless the lad with his apron on.

When winter's frost and snow comes on,
The fairest flowers will decay,
And mortal man, when his glass has run,
His lips are like to the cold clay,
And pretty maids as well as they,
In a short time will forget,
They kiss'd their love with his apron on.

So brethren dear I beg your leave,
All for to end my innocent song,
Eight hundred and two, both just and true,
Unto this loyal lodge belong;
There is four steps you must come up,
Before your jewels does go on,
Our master dear sits in his chair,
God bless him with his apron on.

Bodleian Library, Harding B 25(688), ca. 1774-1825, Angus, printer, Newcastle.
Bodley