Robert Burns

Robert Burns (the Caledonian Bard) - poet, song writer and Mason has written over 700 poems and songs and is celebrated around the world for such classic works as Auld Lang Syne, Comin' Through the Rye, To a Mouse, Red Red Rose, etc. Masons worldwide pay tribute to him with Robert Burns Suppers or Robert Burns Night where his songs are sung and his poems are read. There is a statue of Robert Burns on the Mall in Central Park, NYC. Following are two famous Masonic poems that he has written. There are, literally, hundreds of links to Robert Burns on the world wide web. I have included the ones that I view to be the most comprehensive.

W\ Robert Burns (1759 - 1796)

THE MASTER'S APRON
By Robert Burns

There's many a badge that's very grand;
With ribbon, lace and tape on;
Let kings and princes wear them all,
Give me the Master's apron!

The honest craftsman's apron,
The jolly Freemason's apron,
Be he at home or roam afar,
Before his touch fall bolt and bar,
The gates of fortune fly ajar,
When he but wears the apron!

For wealth and honor, pride and power
are crumbling stones to base on;
Eternity should rule the hour,
and every worthy Mason!
Each Free Accepted Mason,
Each Ancient Crafted Mason.

Then Brethren, let a wholesome song
Arouse your friendly ranks along.
Good wives and children blithely sing
To the ancient badge with the apron string
That is worn by the Master Masons!

The Farewell To the Brethren of
St. James' Lodge, Tarbolton
by Robert Burns

Adieu! a heart-warm fond adieu;
Dear brothers of the mystic tie!
Ye favoured, enlighten'd few,
Companions of my social joy;
Tho' I to foreign lands must hie,
Pursuing Fortune's slidd'ry ba';
With melting heart, and brimful eye,
I'll mind you still, tho' far awa.

Oft have I met your social band,
And spent the cheerful, festive night;
Oft, honour'd with supreme command,
Presided o'er the sons of light:
And by that hieroglyphic bright,
Which none but Craftsmen ever saw
Strong Mem'ry on my heart shall write
Those happy scenes, when far awa.

May Freedom, Harmony, and Love,
Unite you in the grand Design,
Beneath th' Omniscient Eye above,
The glorious Architect Divine,
That you may keep th' unerring line,
Still rising by the plummet's law,
Till Order bright completely shine,
Shall be my pray'r when far awa.

And you, farewell! whose merits claim
Justly that highest badge to wear:
Heav'n bless your honour'd noble name,
To Masonry and Scotia dear!
A last request permit me here, -
When yearly ye assemble a',
One round, I ask it with a tear,
To him, the Bard that's far awa.

This full color print, "My Love is like a red, red rose". It commemorates the 200th anniversary of the death of the beloved Scottish poet, Robert Burns. The artist's painstaking attention to detail can be seen in the print and is evidenced by the intricate lacework, the cut crystal, the beautiful long stemmed rose and the Masonic emblem on the watch cover.

Following is a list of three of the Robert Burns web sites.

http://www.selfknowledge.com/psorb10.htm
Contains many links to other Robert Burns sites.

http://www.robertburns.org/
The home page of the Robert Burns Country.

http://www.rabbie-burns.com/index5.htm
A tribute to Robert Burns.