The Mason's Vow

In Mason's Lodge, with darkened eyes,
And cable tow about me,
I swore to hail all mysteries
That Masons keep, and Masons prize.
All brothers' secrets whispered low,
All words they speak, all things they do
In mystic manner that oath I took,
And I will break it--never!
But stand by this--and this--and this
forever and forever.

I swore to answer and obey
All summons sent me duly,
By brother's hand or lodge array.
I swore that I would never stray
From ancient laws and rules that bound
Free Masons in the days renowned,
But would observe them truly,
On yonder book, that oath I took,
And I will break it--never
But stand by this--and this--and this
forever and forever.

I swore to help with generous care
All those in sorrow hidden.
The brother on the darkened square;
The mourner with disheveled hair;
The orphan doomed, alas to stay
Upon a cold and rocky way
While tears gush forth unbidden.
On yonder book, that oath I took,
And I will break it--never!
But stand by this--and this--and this
forever and forever.

I swore to deal in honesty
With each true heart around me;
That honor bright should ever be
Unbroken bond twix Him and me;
No wrong, no guile, nor cruel fraud
Should break or loose the holy cord
By which my vows had bound me.
On yonder book, that oath I took,
And I will break it--never!
But stand by this--and this--and this
forever and forever.

I swore the chastity to shield
Of woman true and tender;
Of Mason's widow, wife or child,
His mother, sister, undefiled.
Each pure and innocent, whose love
Make Mason's home like that above,
I am the sworn defender.
On yonder book, that oath I took,
And I will break it--never!
But stand by this--and this--and this
forever and forever.

I swore to guard the portals close
Of the Masonic Temple,
To purge the quarries of their dross,
And build the mystic walls with those
Of body perfect, honest heart,
And mind mature in mortal art,
By precept and example.
On yonder book, that oath I took,
And I will break it--never!
But stand by this--and this--and this
forever and forever.

Brother ______, these are your vows.
May they be your care;
And may such aid be given
In answer to your earnest prayer
That you may ever do and dare
All that God's gracious laws enjoin,
So that when evening shades decline,
YOU may be found in Heaven.
On yonder book, that oath YOU took,
And you should break it--never!
But stand by this--and this--and this
forever and forever.