The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

786
Chapter 9 - Masonic and Anti-Masonic Literature
Riding the Goat 1948
In speaking of the Odd Fellows, Upon this beast a saddle
There is one thing you should note, Is placed and firmly tied,
It is the law with them to make While the candidate astraddle
Each fellow ride a goat. Begins his famous ride.
Not a puny little creature, Round and round the spacious Lodge-room
That can scarcely jump a ditch, With lightning speed they fly,
But a great big strong "Sir William," While the candidate is screaming,
That can bleat and buck and pitch. Say, "How is this for high?"
The goat tries hard to throw him, Thus having proven worthy,
But the rider holds on fast, He is taken to the stand,
And though the road is rocky, And there is told what he must do,
He stays there till the last. By the worthy Noble Grand.
And when the ride is over, He then is asked to take a seat,
You are apt to hear him sing, In the row along the wall,
"I am very much disfigured, While the billy goat is taken
But still I'm in the ring." And placed back in his stall.
I have given you this secret, Since now they've got a "Becky" Lodge
Which you must safely keep, Established on the side,
For the sake of my dear papa, I'm very anxious to find out
Who talks while in his sleep. If they make the sisters ride.
This is the way I got it, They may, but if they do I'm sure
I heard him very plain, They use another saddle,
And I'll have some more to tell you, It would not look so well, you know,
When he sleeps and talks again. For them to ride a -- like men.
1948
Pettibone, p. 534/535; "Becky" means the Degree of Rebekah, the female branch of the Odd
Fellows.