Additional song added in 1820. A SONG COMPOSED FOR THE MEETING OF The Worshipful Company of Fletchers on December 9th, 1820; By their devoted Brother, and very humble Servant, S. ARNOTT
TUNE, Roast Beef of Old England
Once more with great pleasure, each brother we meet,
In friendship and harmony share a gay treat,
May no sad reverse the good Fletchers defeat;
And sing oh the gay days of the Fletchers,
And sing oh the good Fletchers gay days.
To the King and the Fletchers a bumper display,
May great commerce and liberty make Britons gay,
May our happy charters ne’er come to decay;
And sing oh the gay days of the Fletchers,
And sing oh the good Fletchers gay days.
To our worthy Wardens respect let us pay,
With thanks for their care of us on each past day,
With Fletchers comfort will never decay;
And sing oh the gay days of the Fletchers,
And sing oh the good Fletchers gay days.
To each absent brother with pleasure we fill,
Each prospect in life may they live to fulfil,
With kind love and friendship each dull moment kill;
And sing oh the gay days of the Fletchers,
And sing oh the good Fletchers gay days.
To the Fletchers good ladies let’s fill ere we part,
From the true paths of wedlock may they never depart,
From fond joys domestic may Fletchers ne’er start;
And sing oh the gay days of the Fletchers,
And sing oh the good Fletchers gay days.
In peace and calm joy may we finish the year,
No sad state commotion may old England fear,
To freedom with loyalty happily steer;
And sing oh the gay days of the Fletchers,
And sing oh the good Fletchers gay days.