Tyler's Toast
'Are your glasses all charged in the West and the South?'
the Worshipful Master cries.
'All charged in the West!' '
All charged in the South,'
came the Wardens' prompt replies.
Then to our final Toast tonight, our glasses freely drain,
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.
The Mason's social Brotherhood around the festive board,
Reveals a Truth more precious far, than the miser's hoard.
We freely share the bounteous gifts, that generous hearts contain,
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.
We meet as Masons free and true, and when our work is done,
The merry song and social glass is not unduly won.
And only at our farewell pledge is pleasure mixed with pain,
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.
Amidst our mirth we drink to all poor Masons o'er the Earth,
On every shore our flag of love is gloriously unfurled.
We prize each Brother, fair or dark, who bears no moral stain,
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.
We Masons prize that noble truth, the Scottish peasant told,
That rank is but a guinea stamp: The man himself the gold.
We meet the rich and poor alike, the equal rights maintain,
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.
Dear Brethren of the Mystic tie, the night is waning fast,
Our work is done, our feast is o'er, this toast must be the last.
Good night to all, once more good night, again that farewell strain,
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.
At the end of every meeting’s dinner, each Craft Lodge in Victoria performs the Tyler’s toast.
Varying in length, the shortest is a toast “To all poor and distressed Freemasons, wherever they may be scattered over the Earth’s broad surface, a speedy relief to their suffering and a safe return to their native land, should they so desire” or similar.
The version on this page above the graphic sees several spoken verses with the refrain “Happy to meet, happy to part, happy to meet again”. It is sung in some lodges and we have even heard it sung several times at Devotion.
After this toast, the left hand is raised and the right used to touch pocket, heart and hand reflecting the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason’s heart; charity. Pocket; represents financial assistance to others. Heart; sharing sympathy, love and time with others. And hand; labours we might perform to assist others. It is a small but lovely tradition – touching (literally) on three elements core to being a Freemason.