The Old Violin
The Touch of the Masters Hand
'Twas battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"
But, No,
From the room far back a gray bearded man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.
"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.
The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."
"And many a man with life out of tune
All battered and bruised with hardship
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.
But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.
- Myra Brooks Welch
239 Comment(s)
You don't have the words quite right. Here's the exact poem as written.
'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
'What am I bidden, good folks,' he cried,
'Who'll start the bidding for me?'
'A dollar, a dollar. Then two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?'
'Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three…' But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: 'What am I bid for the old violin?'
And he held it up with the bow.
'A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice,
And going and gone,' said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
'We do not quite understand.
What changed its worth?' Swift came the reply:
'The touch of the Master's hand.'
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin.
A 'mess of pottage,' a glass of wine,
A game — and he travels on.
He is 'going' once, and 'going' twice,
He's 'going' and almost 'gone.'
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand.
I have heard my mother reciting this poem since i was a little girl, and every single time ive heard it, it brought tears to my eyes at the truth of it. & now in turn I would like to read it out in church.
thank you
This poem is so touching. It reaches my heart and brings tears to my eyes. It's true of us too. If we give our heart to Christ, we become better because of The Master's touch.
Not new, but wonderful. Like the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Hi, there...I've known God, and more importantly, known that KNOWS ME since I was a very young girl. I'm now 77, a weary older 'girl'...feeling rather like there's not much I can do anymore, not that really matters --- I was writing a not to a friend who asked for scripture references for specific issues when this morning, shortly after waking, the old violin came to mind, so I went the the wonderful, worrisome, whacky world wide web (smile)and found this webpage. Yes, I'm "old" physically, but only physically and God is ageless. So, It's faith in God's ability to use this one little girl to help others discover what I learned a very young age.
Please send me a copy of the Poem," The old Violin " '
POWERFUL !
An awesome and uplifting poem of our worth to our Lord and Savior. Sometimes we may feel like the old violin, but we just have to stop and think, God made us in his likeness and we are worth far more than anything on this earth. The Masters hand fine tuned us all. So thankful and blessed.
My Paster talked about it in his teaching today it was the First time that I heard it . But it won't be the last . Thank You Miss Welch and thank you Lon .
I have always loved this poem and was so delighted to find it.
It's so true, we are all scarred from life, but the melody is still there.
I have loved this poem and cried every time I read it from my teenage years and I am now in my senior years. In younger days I read it several times at various church gatherings and loved doing it. I currently have a Podcast--Aunt Blanche's Story Corner -- on which I have read a variety of classic fairy tales, parables, Psalms and poetry and I would love to read this beautiful poem on my podcast. However, I have not been able to find out about whether it is in Public Domain or not. Of course I would give credit to the author and I have no doubt that were she alive to do so she would want it read to as many auciences as possible.
Can you please respond in regard to permission to read?
Thank you,
Blanche Tosh
Love that song... Have used the words in messages I have sent to people.
I Have enjoyed this poem since at the age of 18 I became a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. I was desperate as my life was going no where in the navy.
When I accepted Him He gave me a purpose. I am now 84 and look back on the past in the change in my life and in others whom I was able to counsel and lead them to Him by the Holy Spirit's guidance. Thank You, Herb
My father,a war veteran, with PTSD, was given a track. It made a difference in how he felt. He found worth through it I would like to give to others. He would like that too
Where can I order some? Others are feeling like they are worthless too. They have no hope and have done things to be survive. To know someone cares regardless of what they have done, how they have changed, or what their heart can't forget means slot
I have the poem but didn't realise it was a song. Reminded me of my father who took his violin to WW2. I have that violin now
Enjoyed your site... However, I was reading one of my favorite poems "The Touch of the Master's Hand" (The Old Violin as it is listed on your site) and was surprised that one line was changed from the original as written by Myra Brooks Welch - a devout Christian ... Her original poem has the line "And, many a man with life out of tune, All battered and scarred with sin, Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, Much like the old Violin" That one line in your version above says "All battered and bruised with hardship..." The poem is all about redemption and the word "sin" is critical for the significance of the poem ... Not "hardship" - In addition "Sin" rhymes with Violin - the last words of that stanza...
I had to memorize this poem in the 1960 in the 7th grade ... One of my favorite memories from childhood for so many reasons... Sister Monica Francis, my 7th grade teacher said with tears in her eyes that this poem caused her to turn her life around and was the motivation for her to join a teaching order of nuns - in order to help young kids (like me) ....
I was a typical "boy" from a poor neighborhood who didn't exactly like school, especially poetry, and I didn't even like this very tough 7th grade teacher of mine - But, the passion in her voice as she recited the poem and the importance of the poem in her life stunned my focus and heightened my attention ... Never forgot that one reading ... never forgot that poem ... never forgot that one line about being "battered and scarred with sin" and how redemption is always there for those who repent in their ways...
As I mentioned, I was a typical "boy" growing up in the early 60s and not a very good student... However, that one reading has remained with me throughout my life... I went on to play three sports in college, become a teacher and a coach and eventually a university professor - most of which I attribute to Sister Monica Francis and that "stupid" poem she made us memorize ... Perhaps it was her passion in reading it and the context of its significance in her life that stayed with me forever - to this day! (We had to memorize one poem each week in the 7th grade... But the Touch of the Master's Hand was the best! And, I could give you a list of most of the other poems - some are on your site as well... God Bless you guys and thanks - But, please change that one line in the poem on your site as it is incorrect ... Amen!
I am buying a ceramic old violin from an antique store. I looked and looked for this story I remembered. Now I will put it with the violin and give it as a gift to one of my grandchildren to be treasured forever. Thank you!
My mother is 95 years old. She memorized this poem when she was in the fourth grade and has recited it hundreds of times. Her memory is beginning to fail and I would like to get a copy for her.
I had to memorize this poem as a competition piece when I was in elementary school! And I still remember it. Thank you for sharing. Many news to know that thought they may feel tattered and worn and worthless, The Touch of the one true Master can show them their true worth!
A great article on what is true. Each and everyone of us are just like the old violin.
It's my favorite of all poems I ever read.
It's all of us at one point or another. It speaks to me. It should be shouted out on the rooftops.
Love the poem My husband is an auctioneer.
beautiful poem
Heard this recited as a young girl by my grandpap. Then my younger brother would recite it as he preached. Now my brother, filled with cancer, will soon by sight know the Master’s hand!
I'd like to know about the author
My favorite poem.
Copy of The Master.s Hand
great sermon illustration on the worth of a human being
Beautiful!!
My 89 year old distant cousin rehearsed some of this poem to me today when I told her my granddaughter was learning the violin. I just had to look it up .
How lovely!!
I am being judged by child protection agency in such a manner and God has polished an educated penny If they have treated me in such a manner, I cringe on their attitude towards the poor and uneducated.
Wonderful. Felicitous.
I’ve always loved this poem. My Dad had it memorized and would recite it for us theatrically and enthusiastically for us upon occasion. It was one of his “sermons” to our little congregation of 3; Mom and us girls. His face would light up and his eyes would twinkle, especially on that last stanza where the illustration is brought home by way of application. Gone are the days of Orators and Preachers but my Dad gave us his best impersonations of them. Those memories will always hold a special place in my heart! Thanks for posting.
Could you please give me permission to reproduce this beautiful poem in our church magazine?
I read this about 30 years ago. I recalled it today, for no obvious reason. I just read it again, and it has lost none of its magic.
This is my favorite all-time poem. I have this hung up in my dining room. I found this Album yesterday. 'Twas battered and scarred,
https://open.spotify.com/track/5Tct6sdQuAIRnAUYlUaZPa?si=QOsmLDjeQrCEWT68VM1ajQ
Praying that the City of Wylie (Wide awake little town that I love) will play this whole album for the Glory of God and let God's light shine forth through our town. and a mighty outpouring of the living waters of Jesus be poured out onto all people and all churches and all nations and a mighty revival start right here at Wylie First Baptist. and the whole World the people are going to praise the Lord of Lords and Kings of Kings, Jesus Christ. And it starts right here in my little town with the city merchants and into the Wylie First Baptist Church. Pray and decree and declare it with me please, in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen
Sixty years ago I read this poem over the speaker as a devotion to start the school day in North Miami
What a profound message them and now.
When I click on the Touch of the Masters Hand Classic Christian Frame it goes to a stylus. How do I get to the picture?
The first I read this poem was 27 years ago. It was a very very dark time. This poem, several people, and of course God's Word, help me preserver. Without the perfect help at the perfect time I couldn't have gotten though that living Hell of a nightmare. Thank you for the memory of a Healing time.
Your Servant in Christ,
Michael Engum
My daddy did a reading of this as I played a hymn in the background.
I've seen this...(and been blessed by this)....for more than 30years. It is truly precious.
I'd like permission to reprint, "The Touch of the Master's Hand" for our Christian Magazine, On a Mission, a Journal by the Season.
Thanks
Carolyn
www.womenonamission.net
Battered and scared by sin! Otherwise it doesn't scan. Please don't bowdlerise poetry. Even cheesy poetry.
My father was a janitor at the Christian church in Franklin Indiana. We found this poem in his possessions after he passed Oh, how true this poem. The Masters hand changes things all for the better. God Bless all that read this Beautiful Poem.
This was my grandfather's favorite poem. My husband and I are teaming this poem, also my favorite, with the song,"When Jesus Comes" for a special, at church. I also have a friend that has an old,old violin and is going to play softly during the
poem.
Please pray for would to come to the Master that day.
Simply Beautifully Put. Another is by an unknown author one of my favorites. It is called The Weaver!
The first time I heard thisbit was on a Gather video with Jd Sumner reciting it. Beautiful.
My aunt used to recite this poem to when I was a young teenager.
I always loved to hear it.
Just beautiful making us think and rethink ourselves thank you
I am 76 now. When I was 15 or 16 I did this poem for competition and did it for many groups in East Texas. Though the years have past and my voice is not what it once was, the words mean so much to me.