Brother Robert Burns

1759-1796

Scottish poet and lyricist and considered the national poet of Scotland. Published in Scots, “Light Scots dialect”, and English, he is best known for compositions such as “Auld Lang Syne” and “A Red, Red Rose”.

Burns was also a Master Mason initiated to the craft on July 4th, 1781, in Lodge St. David (Tarbolton) Mauchline No. 133 which still meets today in Mauchline, Scotland.

Burns Cottage in Alloway, Scotland. Robert Burns’ birthplace

Entrance to the Globe Inn where Robert Burns would write. The Globe Inn still stands and operates as a bar today.

The Burns Chair, still located in the Globe Inn in Dumfries, Scotland, where Robert Burns would often sit and write

Robert Burns’ house in Dumfries, Scotland and where he died in 1796. It is now a stop on the “Dumfries Burns Trail”

The Master’s Apron

By: Robert Burns

Modern English

There are many badges that are very fine;
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 falls lock and bar,
The gates of fortune open wide,
If he but wears the apron!

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

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

Light Scots Dialect

There’s mony a badge that’s unco braw,
Wi’ ribbon, lace and tape on;
Let Kings and Princes wear them a’,
Gie me the Master’s apron!
The honest Craftsman’s apron,
The jolly mason’s apron,
Bide he at hame, or roam afar
Before his touch fa’s bolt an’ bar
The gates of fortune fly ajar,
‘Gin he wears the apron!

For w’alth and honor, pride an’ power,
Are crumbling stanes to base on;
Fraternity sh’u’d rule the hour
And ilka worthy Mason!
Each Free Accepted Mason!
Each Ancient Crafted Mason,

Then, brithers, let a halesome sang
Arise your friendly ranks alang!
Gudewives and bairnes blithely sing
Ti’ the ancient badge wi’ the apron string
That is worn by the Master Mason!