The Guinea’s Stamp 

But what does this mean, even given the lyric and tone of Burns’ time? It is oft times used in a derogatory sense, (somewhat in good humour) between Masons (or not) on the achieving of honours.

But its antecedents are much more complex than that. Note the Final Charge, sometimes said by a Junior Warden when closing the lodge in the second degree.

happy we have met,
happy we have been,
happily we part and
happy to meet again…

It would appear that the origin of the verse was mid nineteenth century and is used in some lodge’s festive boards as a Tyler’s final toast (before or part of):

Dear Brethren of the mystic tie the night is waning fast. Our duties done, our feast is o’er, this song must be the last. Goodnight, goodnight once more, once more repeat the farewell strain. Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.

This stanza is in fact the last verse of a six-verse poem, entitled “The Final Toast”. It is not commonly known that there is more than one verse and very few would be able to recite the entire poem.

The poem has been used in various countries from time to time, but its earliest printing was in the “Masonic Vocal Manual” published at Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, in July 1852.

“The Masonic Vocal Manual” – this version published by Robert Macoy, New York, 1859

A number of different versions have been printed over the years, but the original (slightly edited) reads as follows:

Are your glasses charged in the West and South?
The Worshipful Master cries;
They’re charged in the West, They’re charged in the South,
Are the Wardens’ prompt replies;
Then to our final toast to-night your glasses fairly drain
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again
Oh! Happy to meet again!
The Masons’ social brotherhood around the festive board,
Reveals a wealth more precious far than selfish miser’s hoard
They freely share the priceless stores that generous hearts contain
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again!
We work like masons free and true, and when our task is done,
A merry song and cheering glass are not unduly won;
And only at our farewell pledge is pleasure touched with pain
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again!
Amidst our mirth we drink “To all poor Masons o’er all the world”
On every shore our flag of love is gloriously unfurled,
We prize each brother, fair or dark, who bears no moral stain
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again!
The Mason feels the noble truth the Scottish peasant told
That rank is but the guinea’s stamp, the man himself ’s the gold
With us the rich and poor unite and equal rights maintain
Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again! etc

The author of the poem has from time to time been said to be Rudyard Kipling or even Robbie Burns, both well-known and dedicated Freemasons.

Whilst there are certain lines that may be classic Burns (i.e., the reference to the Scottish peasant or the phrase, “the mystic tie”), or the fact that it was written in India where Kipling spent most of his life, the final toast was written by a Freemason, Bro David Lester Richardson.

David Lester Richardson, Calcutta Monthly Journal and General Register of Occurrences …for the Year 1838 By Colesworthey Grant

Richardson was born in London on 22 January 1801, the son of Lieutenant Colonel David Thomas Richardson.

Bro Richardson was initiated into the Lodge of Industry and Perseverance No. 126, Calcutta, (now No. 109 meeting in London) and although it appears he never took office he was obviously a regular attendee and partaker of much of the spirit within Freemasonry to have written such an ode

Whilst in Calcutta, Richardson met another Freemason, Professor William Henry Hammerton, born of Irish Parentage, in Nottingham, England in 1795.

Hammerton was initiated into the Aurora Lodge of Candour and Cordiality No. 816 in Calcutta, and eventually, in 1841, joined Richardson’s lodge, No. 126.

This meeting led to “The Final Toast” being put to music during the 1840s, with both artists complementing each other’s skills.

Masons are aware that Robert Burns was a Freemason. He remained so all of his adult life and was Senior Warden of Lodge St Andrew, Dumfries, (dormant) when he died.

One of his most famous poems: “A Man’s a Man for a’ That“, was sung at the official opening of the new Scottish parliament. Freemasons, especially Scottish Freemasons, all over the world are intensely proud that a Masonic Anthem was chosen to mark this historic occasion.

Is there for honest poverty
That hings his head, an’ a’ that? The coward slave, we pass him by –
We dare be poor for a’ that!
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
Our toils obscure, an’ a’ that,
The rank is but the guinea’s stamp, The man’s the gowd for a’ that.

In dissecting this line what is found is that ‘rank’ is a reference to ‘poor’ metal, or at least a less valuable metal that is needed to make a pressing stamp for the production of coinage. Naturally it would be an inferior metal but of harder substance (as gold is quite soft) for the purpose.
 
Therefore, the concept of rank (metal tool) being the means of stamping a gold coin obviously related to man in his development and therefore whatever a man is ‘stamped’ with he himself has the possibility, nay, the inner ability to be ‘gold’. Gold, esoterically referring to a man’s soul and certainly strength of character.
 
The natural conclusion for Freemasons is the benefit of learning through allegory and ritual, to achieve a better life and moral worthiness to their fellow man.

Video: A Man’s a Man for A’ That Rabbie Burns. (3 mins)