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
273 Comment(s)
This poem never ceases to move me and illustrates so beautifully how God can take what the world might throw away and make something beautiful. Every life has purpose and value and in the Master's hand, incredibly beautiful!
My son's late paternal grandmother, Mother Cora, identified this as her favorite childhood poem in her journal. So precious to read it here.
The Wonder that’s you.
It’s just as plain as the nose on your face, you are who are and that’s no disgrace.
All the experiences you’ve ever been through,
Serve to create the wonder that’s you!
Your friendships, your wishes, the burdens you bear,
Your memories, your joys, the people who care,
Is all wrapped up in the wonder that’s YOU.
If you ponder this message, you’ll know that it’s true.
Your father, our God, has given you life,
And part of the package included was strife.
Our Savior, His Son, has given a gift,
His life he did give that we all might live.
This Earth ? was created with you in mind,
Happiness, ultimately, hoped you would find.
Don’t get discouraged if you’re feeling like toast,
God’s the one in the world who loves you the most.
And remember, remember, when feeling some pain,
It soon will be time, when our Lord Christ will reign!
By Mark D. Langford
Son of Jennie Lee
Divinely Shrined
By JennieLee
We were looking for this poem to put to memory it’s glowing rhyme. We love ?? it’s cadence, rythemn and tone. It brings to mind a simpler life, when days were more easily known. Thank you for the poem, and I’ll return one to you too.
There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it behooves none of us to talk about the rest of us.
I was often auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd....
Then God stepped in
Thank you
This made me cry. Feeling useless? Take hold of the Master's hand. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; what is man, that you are mindful of him? Such tender everlasting love. Thank you Jesus.
I have loved this poem for many years and have often shared it.
Another great poem (part of a larger poem) is Longfellow's poem that includes a section that says "tell me not in mournful numbers life is but a dream... "
A priceless piece of poetry...
For the Spirit of God hath made us, and
The Breath of the Almighty has given us life.
Precious...
I would love a print of this beautiful poem. Please let me know how I can get it. Thank you.
How much will it be worth an picture of The Touch of The Master Hand thank you
So beautiful
A wonderful poem. Could I have permission to reprint it in our Church Magazine (circulation about 100)?
Love these beautiful sayings/ poems/Godly
Such a TERRIFIC, TREMENDOUS, LOVELY, BEAUTIFUL, OUTSTANDING STORY, I AM IN LOVE WITH THE MASTER.
I am wondering if the poem "Touch of the Master's Hand is in Public Domain in USA and UK. Thanking you, Joan.
I'm 73 years of age now but when I was a young lad I recall my Dad reciting this poem to me and have always remembered some of the words. I find it emotional and so glad that i've come across it again.
Would love a print please.
Inspirational and life changing,
So true & beautiful
I would like a print please
The poem moves your spirit in hope.
My friends young sons chest is moving inward toward lungs and heart. Dr will place two rods (bows)in chest to hold chest (violin) and sternum in place. The family raised money for major surgery. I asked God how to pray? His reply “the masters hand” I never read this. I am 60 years older than Daniel and poem blessed me and it will bless him because the Father said so??
Please send me a print of this "Master's Peace"
Thank You and God Bless You.
just love this poem, my granddad used to say it to me when I was a little girl (77 now). I am sure someone used to do it on the radio as a monologue to music too but I can't find out who, it inspired me to write poetry myself.
Please, I would like a print.
Thank You kindly.
My Dad, who was a Baptist preacher, liked to quote this poem. Such a great example of how God's touch on a life can change it.
Heard it a an AA meeting, and thought it was so fitting
Heard this at church and fell in love with it.
I meant play
I'm doing this poem as a speech for school. I liked it, both because its awsome, and because I pay violin
I hadn't read this since I was in high school. I am now 75. This morning I'm taking a copy to my pastor.
What a heart touching poem. I would love a print of "The Master's Hand". Thank you for being there. God bless the work of your hands!
This is my one of dad’s favorites. ?? Thank you.
I was just a child when my grandmother first read this poet to me. I read it quite often to remind me of what Jesus Christ has given me, FORGIVENESS. PRAISE THE LORD!!
I love this poem, remind me of my life before I received The touch of the Master's Hand.
OMG! How beautiful and inspiring. Just what I needed. God Bless you.
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!