Song of the Freemen of England and Wales
(Sung to the tune Melita)
Original words
In ancient towns throughout the land
Our old traditions still survive
The torch has passed from hand to hand
Our brotherhood is still alive
We cherish still from age to age
Our proud and glorious heritage
Our rights are precious but we know
They are a trust we may not shirk
For though we reap we still must sow
That those unborn may bless our work
That when our sons shall take the stage
Theirs is a worthy heritage
Our forbears loved in days long past
These towns in which our roots lie deep
They built traditions made to last
Long after they were laid to sleep
We feel the challenge, and with pride
Vow that their standards shall abide
So let all Freemen now unite
And work with hearts which ever strive
To build a future still more bright
And keep our Freedom’s flame alive
As this has been, so let it be
Our strength is in our unity
Written by Elsie Dinah Ward on the passing of the
Freemen’s Clause in the House of Lords on 22nd September 1972
Hymn of the Freemen of England and Wales
(Sung to the tune Melita)
The wording was revised in June 2002
and then again in March 2011 to reflect the Admission of Lady Freemen
In ancient towns throughout the land
Our old traditions still survive,
The torch has passed from hand to hand
Our brotherhood is still alive,
We cherish still from age to age
Our proud and glorious heritage.
Our rights are precious but we know
They are a trust we may not shirk,
For though we reap we still must sow
And pray that God may bless our work,
That when our children take the stage
Theirs is a worthy heritage
Our forbears loved in days long past
These towns in which our roots lie deep,
They built traditions made to last
Long after they were laid to sleep,
We feel their challenge, and with pride
Vow that their standards shall abide
So let all Freemen now unite
And work with hearts which ever strive
To build a future still more bright,
And keep our Freedom’s flame alive,
And with God's help, so let it be
Our strength is in our unity