Masonic Dirge

This is the Masonic Dirge associated in Vermont with the Master Mason degree.
It is used, sometimes with different words or verses, in other States.
The words can be found by looking for the first line-
“Solemn strikes the funeral chime”
They were composed by poet Bro. David Vinton in 1816
It is set to the tune known as Pleyel’s Hymn, 1791.
Composer Ignaz Pleyel was a student of Joseph Haydn and a Freemason.

Click here to hear or download the Masonic Dirge words sung to Pleyel’s Hymn tune
To download mp3 file, click  three dots on the right side of the play bar
   and select Download

Click to hear or download the Masonic Dirge sung acappella with added explanation  mp3

Click to hear or download a brass band playing the melody, no singing,  takes two minutes.

 

WORDS FOR THE MASONIC FUNERAL DIRGE with the verses in the Vermont third degree
Below are the words as a Word doc from TheMasonicTrowel.com
     and as a jpg from the Mad River Lodge song cards.
For some background on the irony of  lyricist David Vinton’s Masonic life, see http://srjarchives.tripod.com/1997-08/Davis.htm article from the Indiana Freemason, Spring 1997 issue.
At the bottom of this page, is the three-part harmony music with the top note being the melody/lead.  It can be sung in three parts, or a piano could provide the harmony while everyone sings the melody. Or just use it to review the melody.

Solemn strikes the funeral chime!
Notes of our departing time,
As we journey here below,
On a pilgrimage of woe.

Brothers, now indulge a tear,
For mortality is here!
See how wide her trophies wave,
O’er the slumbers of the grave.

Here another guest we bring,
Seraphs of celestial wing,
To our funeral altar come,
Waft a friend and brother home.

Lord of all, below, above,
Fill our hearts with Truth and Love.
As dissolves our earthly tie,
Take us to Thy Lodge on High.

From a 20th century Vermont Monitor

Click and save images (of the text and the music in G) below and use them as convenient.

PLEYEL’S HYMN
(Funeral Dirge for MM Degree)
Composed by Bro Ignaz Joseph Pleyel – 1791
Words by Bro David Vinton – 1816

1. Solemn strikes the funeral chime.
   Notes of our departing time,
   As we journey here below
   Through a pilgrimage of woe.
2. Mortals now indulge a tear;
   For mortality is here!
   See how wide her trophies wave
   O’er the slumbers of the grave.
3. Calm, the good man meets his fate;
   Guards celestial ’round him wait.
   See! he bursts these mortal chains,
   And o’er Death the victory gains.
4. Here another guest we bring;
   Seraph of Celestial wing,
   To our funeral altar come,
   Waft this friend and brother home.
5. There enlarged, thy soul shall see,
   What was veiled in mystery;
   Heavenly glories of the place
   Show his maker face to face.
6. Lord of all! below – above-
   Fill our hearts with truth and love;
   When dissolves our earthly tie,
   Take us to Thy Lodge on High.

Stanzas 1, 4,  and 6 are used by many jurisdictions during funerals and in the Third Degree.
Vermont uses 1, 2, 4, and 6

Here is the music if you have a keyboardist,
or brothers who would like to read the notes as they sing.