The Farewell. To the Brethren of St James's Lodge, Tarbolton
Original
The Farewell. To the Brethren of St James’s Lodge, Tarbolton
Adieu! a heart-warm, fond adieu!
Dear brothers of the mystic tye!
Ye favour’d, ye 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, honor’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 you honor’d, noble Name,
To MASONRY and SCOTIA dear!
A last request, permit me here,
When yearly ye assemble a’,
When yearly ye assemble a’,
One round, I ask it with a tear,
To him, the Bard, that’s far awa’.
Modern English
The Farewell. To the Brethren of St James’s Lodge, Tarbolton
Goodbye! A heartfelt, fond farewell!
Dear brothers of the mystic tie!
You favored, enlightened few,
Companions of my social joy!
Though I must go to foreign lands,
Pursuing Fortune’s slippery ball,
With melting heart and tearful eye,
I’ll remember you still, though far away.
Oft have I met your social group,
And spent cheerful, festive nights;
Oft, honored with supreme command,
Presided over the Sons of light:
And by that bright Hieroglyphic,
Which only Craftsmen ever saw!
Strong Memory on my heart shall write
Those happy scenes when far away.
May Freedom, Harmony and Love
Unite you in the grand Design,
Beneath the Omniscient Eye above,
The glorious Divine Architect!
That you may keep the unerring line,
Still rising by the plummet’s law,
Till Order bright completely shines,
Shall be my Prayer when far away.
And YOU, farewell! whose merits claim
The highest badge to justly wear!
Heaven bless your honored, noble Name,
To MASONRY and SCOTIA dear!
A last request, allow me here,
When yearly you assemble all,
One round, I ask with a tear,
To him, the Bard, that’s far away.