They All Came Just for Me

By Richard L. Jenkins

Something big is going on here. 

Or so I thought that night, 

As the Masons came to gather round 

the Great and lesser lights. 

One from here and one from there 

From places far and wide, 

They came to do, I knew not what, 

As they gathered there inside. 

But from each man I was greeted 

With a smile and voice of cheer. 

One said, so you're the candidate. 

The reason that we're here. 

I scarcely knew just what he meant, 

For this was my first degree. 

There must be much for them to do 

Before they got to me. 

Surely these guys would not travel 

for the sake of just one man. 

Yes, there must be much for them to do, 

Before my part began. 

The Brother Tiler was my company 

As I waited at the door 

To step into this brand new realm 

I had not known before. 

They shared with me the three Great Lights 

and some tools of the trade, 

That I might learn a thing or two 

of how a man be better made. 

When at last I had been seated 

In this brotherhood of men 

The Master then began to bring 

The meeting to an end. 

And with all things then completed, 

They stayed a little more, 

To eat and drink and share a laugh 

Before heading toward the door. 

But as we left I understood 

And then began to see. 

That they all came for one reason. 

They all came just for me. 

Dear brothers I pray every lodge 

Will make new ones like me, 

Feel as welcome as these brothers did, 

When they held my First Degree