[1] Shriners have taken the song as good-natured humor, and have even welcomed Stevens' participation in fundraising activities, as his fame attracts more attendees to charity events.
It has been suggested that Stevens' presence indicates that Shriners have a sense of humor about themselves, making the group seem more accessible.
The premise of the song is the "43rd Annual Convention of the Grand Mystic Royal Order of the Nobles of the Ali Baba Temple of the Shrine."
Each verse describes a different aspect of the convention: first a parade, then a formal banquet, and finally a ceremonial "secret meeting", which is actually a poker game.
The song's humor includes a series of phone calls between two Shriners from the Hahira delegation: "Illustrious Potentate" Bubba, and "Noble Lumpkin" Coy, the latter of whom fails to show up at any convention gatherings, choosing instead to carouse at the motel with his Harley, dishonoring the whole delegation.