Opening and Closing Odes
The words of both the St. Vincent Opening and Closing Odes were written by BA Bevan Petman (WM 1899-1900), and the music was composed in 1898, by Cedric Bucknall, the organist of All Saints', Clifton, the first lecturer in Harmony and Counterpoint at University College, Bristol and a distinguished mycologist.
Opening ODE
As the glorious East lay glowing,
Bright with day's uprising sun,
And the golden light was flowing
O'er the throne of Solomon
Flooded was the Temple building
With the dawn's celestial gilding.
Then their signs and emblems taking,
Sluggish sleep and sloth forsaking,
Myriad Masons rose and bending
Low before the monarch wise,
Poured their song of praise unending
Through the rosy flushing skies.
Thus the gloom of night dividing,
Comes the Mason's sun divine,
Life and light to us providing
Of the level, square and line,
Making our Masonic Building
Bright with virtue's purest gilding.
Thus, our ignorance forsaking,
And our signs and emblems taking,
We, with upturned hearts and faces,
Ere our mysteries are unfurled,
Chant our solemn sacred praises
To the Builder of the World.
Closing ODE
Slowly the shadows fall,
Daylight is done;
Night casts her purple pall -
Cease every one!
Cease, cease, our work is ended,
Peace, peace with rest is blended.
Fair stands the Work and sure
Time cannot spoil;
Now, all our labour o'er,
Cease we from toil!
Cease, cease, our work is ended,
Peace, peace with rest is blended.
Thus, when Life's shadows fall,
Death comes at last,
May the true work of all
Stand, and stand fast!
Cease, cease, our work is ended,
Peace, peace with rest is blended
Song of The St. Vincent Lodge
The words of The St. Vincent Song were written by Bertram Amor Bevan- Petman (1869-1931), who joined The St. Vincent Lodge in 1895, and served as the Worshipful Master in 1899-1900. He abandoned his career as a school master in Clifton, qualified as a barrister at law, emigrated to India and held a senior administrative post in Simla. Printed copies of the song were presented to the Lodge in April 1902. The original music was by Brother Ernest Dicks, the organist of the Royal Union Lodge Cheltenham, of which Bevan-Petman had been a member.
The music we now use was composed by Dr Hubert Walter Hunt (1865-1945), the organist of the Cathedral from 1901 until his death, and special lecturer in Music at the University during the 1920s, who received a Lambeth degree of Doctor of Music from the Archbishop of Canterbury in recognition of his services to music. This music was lost in the 1930s and reconstructed from memory by the composer.
Brethren of St. Vincent all,
Hear our Mother Lodge's call!
Faithful sons then let us be,
In Masonic charity.
First, in our dear Country's praise.
Britons, high your glasses raise,
Let the echoing rafters ring,
For our Country, Craft, and (King/Queen)!
Chorus Then let the echoing rafters ring
For our dear country, Craft and King,
And all of high or low degree
Shall pledge this health with three times three!
Ere the echoes die away.
Let us toast our Master's sway -
King by our Republic's laws.
Thus we crown him with applause.
Next, we greet the welcome guest,
Gladly offer him our best,
Singing with one heart and mind,
"None but friends here shall he find."
Chorus All singing with one heart and mind
That none but friends here shall he find,
And all of high or low degree
Shall pledge this health with three times three!
Now a silent toast we drink-
"Brethren gone beyond the Brink" -
Masons, steadfast, true and tried.
Their example is our guide!
Last, we close our toasting round
With a swelling burst of sound;
This is the toast, we drink it thus:
"You and me, and all of us!"
Chorus For this the toast, we drink it thus:
"To you, and me, and all of us!"
And all of high or low degree
Shall pledge this health with three times three!
Written by BA Bevan Petman PM 1404.
Music by HW Hunt PM 1404, PGO @ Copyright