This song book has been presented to the Norfolk Broads Lodge No. 8368 by the Lodge School of Instruction to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Lodge.

GENERAL NOTES

i) The W.M. and Wardens have bells instead of gavels.
(ii) Port and Starboard lights are placed on the Warden's tables in front of them.
(iii) Flags representing the name of the Lodge in the International Code are flown behind the W.M.'s table.
(iv) Stewards wear the Collars of Office at the Festive Board.
(v) Speeches, with certain exceptions such as a speech by the R.W.P.G.M., his Deputy or Representative or a toast to the Initiate, are limited to two minutes but can be extended if desired on the payment of a fine of £1 for every 30 seconds. The money to be placed on the Lodge's Charity List for the year.
(vi) A "Protest" flag is flown on the appropriate occasions. Neither side or others are allowed to discuss the matter and the decision of the W.M. is final. The loser pays £1 as a fine and it is placed on the Lodge's Charity List for the year.
(vii) Toasts and songs are subject to the direction of the W.M.

PROCEDURE

"Five minute bell" is rung one by the D.C. and Brethern make their way to their place at the tables.
"One minute bell" is rung once the D.C. and the W.M., R.W.P.G.M. or D.P.G.M. takes their places at the tables.
"Order Bells" are rung thus:- at the W.M.'s command the D.C. rings the W.M.'s bell once answered once by the S.W. and J.W. This procedure of "order bells" takes the place of normal "gaveling" at the Festive Board.
"Grace" is sung, standing, "For these and all Thy mercies given".
"Nine O"Clock Hymn". All stand. Absolute silence is maintained whilst the Chaplain says the preamble. The toast is drunk when the Chaplain directs. The hymn to "absent brethern" is sung after the toast.
"Loyal Toast". All stand. Instead of the National Anthem - "Here's a Health unto Her Majesty" is sung by a nominated brother and all join in the chorus. The glass of wine is held in the hand during the whole period of the song. The toast is drunk at the end of the singing.
"Lodge Song". This is sung before the toast to the W.M. It is sung by the Brethren of the Lodge who remain seated.
"Visitors Song". This is sung after the toast has been proposed and before the response. It is sung standing.
"The Last Songs". All stand and sing the first and last verse of (i) "Eternal Father, strong to save" as written in the leaflet. (ii) "Auld Lang Syne".

For these and all Thy mercies given,
We bless and praise Thy Name, O Lord;
May we receive them with thanksgiving,
Ever trusting in Thy word.
To Thee alone be honour, glory,
Now and henseforth for evermore.
So mote it be.

Let us join in thought and make this a moment to be dedicated in tender, loving reflection to out absent Brethern. If there are any who may be suffering, they will know they are included with all our kindest wishes for their speedy and complete recovery. If any should be lonely or with strangers they will feel at this moment they are with their own Brethren. If any are suffering the pangs of bereavement, they will know they have our united sympathy. Thus may Brotherly love continue.

Architect in thy great mercy
Hear our evening Prayer
Keep our Brethren who are absent
"Neath thy care.

When in sorrow, when in danger
When in loneliness;
In Thy love look down & comfort
Their distress.

Thou who are Supreme in Power
Over land and sea
Bless them, save them, guide them, keep them
Near to thee

So mote it be.

Here's a health unto her Majesty,
With a fa la la la la la la
To drink this loyal toast of wine.
With a fa la la la la la la.
And he that will not drink her health,
I wish him neither wit nor wealth,
Nor yet a rope to hang himself.
With a fa la la la la la la la la la,
With a fa la la la la la la.

Brethern of the Craft, and of other Lodges
Sailors of the Broads, and of open waters,
Visitors all from every quarter,
Glad we are to see you.

Chorus:
Hooray and raise your glasses,
Hooray and raise your glasses,
Hooray and raise your glasses,
Hearty greeting to you.

Brethern from the East and the West we greet you,
Brethern from the South and the North we greet you,
Brethern from near and from far we greet you,
Welcome to our Meeting.

Chorus:

Leave all you cares and your woes behind you,
Steer for the shore and Masonic shelter,
Sail into harbour, and drop your anchor,
Peace and joy surround you.

Chorus:

Tis our delight, every reg'lar Friday,
After the Lodge at the supper table,
To join hand in hand with the Visiting Brethren,
Singing loud the chorus.

Chorus:

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea.

Great Archetect of love and power,
Our brethern shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire & foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

So mote it be

Come Stewards fill the flowing bowl until it doth run over,
Come Stewards fill the flowing bowl until it doth run over,
For tonight we'll merry be, for tonight we'll merry be,
For tonight we'll merry be, Tomorrow we'll be sober.

The Brother who drinks small beer, and goes to bed quite sober,
The Brother who drinks small beer, and goes to bed quite sober,
Fades as the leaves to fade, fades as the leaves to fade,
Fades as the leaves to fade, that drop off in October.

The Brother who drinks strong beer, and goes to bed right mellow,
The Brother who drinks strong beer, and goes to bed right mellow,
Lives as he ought to live, lives as he ought to live,
Lives as he ought to live, and dies a Grand Lodge Officer.

So brethern fill your glasses high, and drink a Toast right gladly,
So brethern fill your glasses high, and drink a Toast right gladly,
For tonight we'll merry be, for tonight we'll merry be,
For tonight we'll merry be, tomorrow we'll be sober.

Loud roared the dreadful thunder, the rain a deluge show'rs.
The clouds were rent asunder, by lightnings vivid pow'rs.
The night both drear and dark.
Our poor devoted bark.
Til next day, there she lay, in the Bay of Biscay-O
Til next day, there she lay, in the Bay of Biscay-O

Now dashed upon the billow, our op'ning timbers creak,
Each fears a watery pillow, non-stop the dreadful leak.
To cling to slippery shrowds,
Each breathless seaman crowds.
As she lay, till next day, in the Bay of Biscay-O
As she lay, till next day, in the Bay of Biscay-O

Her yielding timbers sever, her pitchy seam are rent,
When Heav'n all bounteous ever, its boundless marcy sent.
A sail in sight appears,
We hail her with three cheers.
Now we sail, with the gale, from the Bay of Biscay-O
Now we sail, with the gale, from the Bay of Biscay-O

Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you.
Chorus: Away you rolling river.
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you.
Chorus: Away I'm bound to go, cross the wide Missouri.

Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter.
Chorus: Away you rolling river.
Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter.
Chorus: Away I'm bound to go, cross the wide Missouri.

Oh Shenandoah, I took a notion.
Chorus: Away you rolling river.
To sail across the stormy ocean.
Chorus: Away I'm bound to go, cross the wide Missouri.

Oh Shenandoah, I'm bound to leave you.
Chorus: Away you rolling river.
Oh Shenandoah, I'll not deceive you.
Chorus: Away I'm bound to go, cross the wide Missouri.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
An never bought to min'?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days a'lang syne?

And here's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand a' thine;
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught
For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.

This old song (with its proper tune) is ascribed to Dr. Anderson, in the first Edition of the Constitution Book (1723), to "Our late Brother, Mr. Mathew Birkhead, deceased. To be sung when all grave business is over, and with the Master's leave".