Occasional Address

Sung by the Children of the Freemasons’ Female Charity

February 9, 1797

[The words by a Young Lady, Daughter of a Free Mason, The Music by Dr. Arnold.]

When wand’ring, comfortless and low,
In Poverty’s dark vale of woe,
Expos’d to error, want, disease,
And vice, more fatal still than these,
Your fost’ring care our bosoms cheer’d,
Our infant minds with learning rear’d.

CHORUS

For you our hands to heav’n we raise,
With grateful hearts, in pray’r and praise.

O may our bosoms doubly know
The joys your lib’ral acts bestow;
And long, through years revolving, prove
The blessings of Fraternal Love;
That to the heart humane is giv’n
A foretaste of the bliss of heav’n.

CHORUS

For you our hands to heav’n we raise,
With grateful hearts, in pray’r and praise.

The Scientific Magazine and Freemason's Repository, February 1797, p. 128

* * *

FREEMASONS’ CONCERT, FREEMASONS’ HALL, FEB. 9.

The annual Concert for the Benefit of the Freemasons’ Charity School, in St. George’s Fields, was performed at this place. The music was under the direction of Brothers Arnold and Cramer, and the selection reflected infinite credit on their taste and judgment. Owing to the sudden indisposition of Miss Leak, Miss Dufour kindly undertook, at a very short notice, to sing the songs allotted to that lady, and acquitted herself admirably well. Signora Storace sang Purcell’s Cantata of Mad Bess with great science and feeling; and Master Welsh’s Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty! charmed every ear. It is but justice, indeed to say, that every part of the performance deserved great praise. For the occasional address sung at this Concert, see our Poetry.

The Scientific Magazine and Freemason's Repository, February 1797, pp. 130

* * *

AN ADDRESS

Composed for the Children of the Freemason’s Female Charity, and sung by them at their Anniversary. 1796. The Words by Miss Vardill, the Music by Dr Arnold.

When wand’ring comfortless and low,
In poverty’s dark vale of woe,
Expos’d to error, want, disease,
And vice more fatal still than ease,
Your fost’ring care our Bosoms chear’d,
Our Infant minds with learning rear’d,
Your fost’ring care our Bosoms chear’d,
Our Infant minds with learning rear’d,

Chorus Lively

For you our hands to heav’n we raise,
With grateful hearts in pray’r and praise,
For you out hands to Heav’n we raise,
With grateful hearts in pray’r and praise,

O may our Bosoms doubly know,
The joys your lib’ral acts bestow,
And long tho’ years revolving praise,
The blessings of fraternal love,
That to the heart humane is giv’n,
A foretaste of the bliss of Heav’n,
That to the heart humane is giv’n,
A foretaste of the bliss of Heav’n,