Be a Mason

(And Take It By Degrees)
A popular song from 1916
Words by Chas. McCarron & Will Dillon
Music by Albert Von Tilzer

The sheet music:

Be a Mason – Sheet MusicDownload

Accompaniment by Gerd Westendorp:

Be_a_Mason – MIDIDownload

Lyrics

  1. Mister Mason was a Mason and a good one, too
    I knew he was a Mason, he had mortor on his shoe
    His son Jason he was chasin’ Dolly all the while
    Never gave the girl a rest, but loved her by the mile
    Day and night with all his might he’d woo his turtle dove
    His father said, “Go easy, boy, when you are making love”

Chorus:
Be a Mason and take it by degrees
Be a Mason and you’ll be sure to please
A little bit now, a little bit then
When you want some more, come back again
Take your time and give her the sign
Join the order and get yourself a girl
Join the order, but don’t get in a whirl
When she goes on her vacation
You can take her application
Be a Mason and take it by degrees

  1. Mister Mason said, “Now Jason please don’t go too fast
    Don’t eat up all your plums at once, but try and make them last
    Never hasten, love her Jason, then just run away
    For he who loves and runs away will love another day
    Kiss her once then say “goodbye” and beat it on a run
    Come back tomorrow night and finish what you left undone

Chorus:
Be a Mason and take it by degrees
Be a Mason and you’ll be sure to please
A little bit now, a little bit then
When you want some more, come back again
Take your time and give her the sign
Join the order and get yourself a girl
Join the order, but don’t get in a whirl
There’ll be other evenings later
But when you initiate her
Be a Mason and take it by degrees

Sung by Vancha March: