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An old man lay sick in the Masonic Home.

His face was as wan as the white sea foam.

His eyes were dim, his hair was gray,

his back was bent with the trial of the way.

He faltering spoke, but I heard him say,

I'm ready for my last degree.

I've come to the end of the level of time

That leads us all to that Grand Lodge sublime

From whose borne none ever return.

More light in Masonry there shall I learn

By an Altar where light shall ever more shine.

I'm ready for my last degree.

With the Apprentice's gauge, I've divided my time

Into three equal parts since life's early prime

And this I have found amidst life's great turmoil

My wages are due me, in Corn, Wine, and Oil

I'm ready for my last degree.

Each day from life's quarries. I've hewn a stone,

With the gavel I've shape them, each one alone,

And shipped them along beyond that bright stand

To build me a house in that great better land

A spiritual house not made with hands.

I'm ready for my last degree.

I've squared each stone by the virtue square

And plumbed them all true, as I shipped them there

With the compass I've measured the Master's designs

And kept with due bounds, with his points and his signs

My blue prints are folded, I've answered his signs

I'm ready for my last degree.

The mortar I've made, from friendship and love

To be spread with the Master's trowel up above,

My apron is worn, but its surface is white.

My working tools now will be cold and quiet

My trestle Board's bare and I'm going tonight,

I'm ready for my last degree.

A few moments later, the old man was dead

And I fancy that I could see his soul as it fled,

Upward and onward, to the great door,

Where he gave an alarm and a voice did implore

The old man gave his answer with these words

Once more

I'm ready for my last degree.

As an old man lay sick in the

Masonic Home. His face was as wan

as the white sea foam. His eyes were

dim, his hair was gray, his back was

bent with the trial of the way. He

faltering spoke, but I heard him say,

I'm ready for my last degree.

That night in a lodge, free from all strife and storm,

He took that degree, his last in due form

So may I live like he did, to build day by day

A spiritual house, in that land far away

So, when I meet my Grand Master I can say