Thers mony a badge thats unco braw ; Wi ribbon, lace and tape on ; Let kings an' princes wear them a' , Gie me the masters apron!
The honest craftsmans apron, The jolly freemasons apron, Be he at hame or roam afar, Before his touch fas bolt and bar, The gates of fortune fly ajar, Gin he but wears the apron!
For wealth and honour, pride and power Are crumbling stanes to base on; Fraternity suld 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 . Guid wives and bairnies blithely sing To the ancient badge wi' the apron string That is worn by the master mason!
Interestingly, this poem—as much as we love the sentiment it expresses—is not actually by Robert Burns. It was written in 1880 by a New Hampshire Mason named Henry Oaks Kent. Afterward, it was often reprinted without credit, and within 30 years some people were attributing it to Burns on assumption. However, Burns scholars never accepted it, and recent research by Masonic scholars confirms that Burns is not the author. See Dr. Paul Rich's article, "Robert Burns and the Mystery of 'The Master's Apron'" in the Fall 2010 issue of Philalethes: The Journal of Masonic Research & Letters ([link]).
-by Brother Robert Burns
Thers mony a badge thats unco braw ;
Wi ribbon, lace and tape on ;
Let kings an' princes wear them a' ,
Gie me the masters apron!
The honest craftsmans apron,
The jolly freemasons apron,
Be he at hame or roam afar,
Before his touch fas bolt and bar,
The gates of fortune fly ajar,
Gin he but wears the apron!
For wealth and honour, pride and power
Are crumbling stanes to base on;
Fraternity suld 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 .
Guid wives and bairnies blithely sing
To the ancient badge wi' the apron string
That is worn by the master mason!