I am Ready for My Last Degree
 
  An old man lay sick in the Masonic State Home
  His face was as white as the White Sea foam.
  His eyes were dim; his hair was gray.
  His back was bent with the toils of the way.
  He unflatteringly spoke, and I heard him say,
  I'm ready for my last degree.
 
 
  I've come to the end of that level of time
  That leads us all on to that Grand Lodge sublime.
  From whose sacred form none ever returns.
  More light in Masonry there I shall learn
  By an altar where light ever more burns
  I'm ready for my last degree.
 
 
  With the apprentice's gauge I divided my time
  And this I have found amidst life's' great turmoil:
  Time for work, for worship and rest from my toil
  My wages are due in corn, wine and oil-
  I'm ready for my last degree.
 
 
  Each day from life's quarries I've hewn out a stone,
  With the gavel I've shaped them each one alone
  And shipped them alone beyond that bright strand
  To build me a house in that bright better land.
  A spiritual house not made by 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 in the due bounds with his points and his lines.
  My blueprints are folded-I've answer his signs
  I'm ready for my last degree.
 
 
  A few moments later the old man was dead
  And I fancy I could see his soul as it fled
  Upward and onward to that great door where he gave his alarm
  And a voice did implore
  The old man made answer with these words once more:
  I'm ready for my last degree.
 
 
  That night in a lodge free from strife and from storm
  He took his last Degree-his last in due form
  So may I live as to build day by day
  A spiritual house in that land far away
  So when I meet my Grand Master I can say,
  I'm ready for my last degree.