Masonic Poets Society

[Tamrin]

Masonic Poets Society



Robbie Burns

[OwenKL]

Wow, thanks for giving mentions to all of my websites! Since this one for MPoets is just a picture, let me fill in a few details. We have three main goals.

• Provide an outlet for current Masonic Poets,
  
• Provide interesting fillers for Masonic Newsletter Editors,
  
• Keep alive the legacy of past generations of Masonic Poets.
  

We have over a thousand poems on the site, and biographies of a great many Masonic Poets.

[Tamrin]

Aug 13, 2008 9:57:17 GMT 10 OwenKL said:

Wow, thanks for giving mentions to all of my websites!

Our pleasure. We are honoured to have such a profligate prolific Brother join with us in the Quarry ;D

[Tamrin]

Aug 12, 2008 21:45:10 GMT 10 Tamrin said:

Robbie Burns

William Stewart Watson, 1846
The Inauguration of Robert Burns as Poet Laureate of the Lodge

Robert Burns became a freemason in 1781 and soon rose to become depute master of St James Lodge in Tarbolton. The subject here is the poet's supposed inauguration as Poet Laureate in the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge No 2, in Edinburgh in 1787. It was painted nearly sixty years later, using prints and family pictures to produce accurate portraits of those present. Although the artist undoubtedly believed in Burns's inauguration, it is unlikely that this event ever took place. Instead, the honour could have been conferred upon Burns posthumously. The Canongate Lodge, also known as St John's Chapel, is the oldest purpose-built Masonic meeting room in the world, dating from 1736. The organ in the background is still played at Lodge meetings.

[Tamrin]

A MAN'S A MAN FOR A' THAT

by Bro. Robert Burns

Is there for honest poverty
That hings his head, an' a' that?
The coward slave, we pass him by -
We dare be poor for a' that!
For a' that, an' a' that,
Our toils obscure, an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.

Wear hoddin grey, an' a' that?
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine -
A man's a man for a' that.
For a that, an' a' that,
Their tinsel show, an' a' that,
The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor,
Is king o' men for a' that.

Ye see yon birkie ca'd 'a lord',
Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that?
Tho' hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a cuif for a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
His ribband, star, an' a' that,
The man o' independent mind,
He looks an' laughs at a' that.

A prince can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, an' a' that!
But an honest man's aboon his might -
Guid faith, he mauna fa' that!
For a' that, an' a' that,
Their dignities, an' a' that,
The pith o' sense an' pride o' worth
Are higher rank than a' that.

Then let us pray that come it may
(As come it will for a' that)
That Sense and Worth o'er a' the earth
Shall bear the gree an' a' that!
For a' that, an a' that,
It's coming yet for a' that,
That man to man the world o'er
Shall brithers be for a' that.