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
472 Comment(s)
Carol Reinoehl 2 hours ago - March 19, 2024 at 12:08 pm
I would love a copy. Thanks ??
Audra Bard 3 hours ago - March 19, 2024 at 11:24 am
I have loved this poem ever since I heard it when I was in high school.
Barb kevil 2 days ago - March 17, 2024 at 10:03 pm
Thank you
PORTIA WILDMAN-PHILLIP 4 days ago - March 16, 2024 at 1:14 am
I recited this poem a couple of times in church. I truly love this poem.
Michelle McCloy 1 week ago - March 9, 2024 at 10:13 am
I just heard this read out by a Pastor on YouTube and all blown away. Wow! ?
Robyn Monger 2 weeks ago - March 8, 2024 at 7:25 am
I would like to use this in my 7th grade religion class and have my students memorize it. Can I get a copy??
Gerald Verroen 3 weeks ago - February 25, 2024 at 5:58 am
love this poem could you send me a link so I can buy it in a frame so I can hang it on the wall
Jessica 3 weeks ago - February 24, 2024 at 3:44 am
I'd love to be able to print this for my students. I used it in our lesson today.
Billie Schneider 1 month ago - February 7, 2024 at 11:45 pm
I recently got a violin and started lessons - I play piano and wanted to play another instrument. I am 63 years old and my dad who is 88 started reciting this poem. He is a retired Baptist minister It was amazing to hear him say it. And I am loving to learn playing it. I’d like a copy of this.
Melody Roeder 1 month ago - February 6, 2024 at 4:53 pm
I first heard this recited from memory by the sweetest older man I was caring for. It impacted me so much I have never forgotten it.
Carolyn Martin 1 month ago - February 6, 2024 at 12:53 am
Very beautiful!
Sara Harrison 1 month ago - February 6, 2024 at 12:52 am
I remember hearing this poem as a child and now 58, reading it has a different meaning to me now. I don't own a computer or printer, is there a way to get a copy? Please & thank you!
Hattie Tucker 1 month ago - February 5, 2024 at 5:19 am
I heard this poem while watching church service at FUMC,Montgomery Al. It really touched my heart. And, yes I would like to have a copy. May God bless you!
Jeffrey 1 month ago - February 3, 2024 at 2:39 am
The poem reminds me that no one praises the spade for a beautiful and fruitful garden. The praise belongs to the Gardener. We are mere tools and should leap into the hands of the Master, be He Gardener or Violinist, lest one ill-willed should pick us up and put us to use.
Rose Hobbs 2 months ago - January 29, 2024 at 10:30 pm
I've loved this poem for a long time. I look forward to receiving a copy from you. Thank you.
Joan 2 months ago - January 27, 2024 at 3:32 am
For friends funeral ..her favourite poem
Janice Rose 2 months ago - January 22, 2024 at 7:57 am
Heard this many times over the years but always has a special meaning each time it comes across my desk again.
Mary Beth Tuttle 2 months ago - January 21, 2024 at 10:39 pm
The line should be "battered and bruised with sin," not hardship. I have the book that contains the original. If it has her name on it, it should be as she wrote it.
Sandra Rock 2 months ago - January 20, 2024 at 2:32 am
Beautiful poem
Kathy Lester 2 months ago - January 17, 2024 at 9:36 pm
Yes I would like a print of this lovesong
Doris Magness 2 months ago - January 17, 2024 at 5:15 pm
My husband quoted this poem to me many times and it always touched me and reminded me of our worth. I wish I had recorded him he always put such feelings into it. He passed this past October he loved to write poetry he was truly gifted.
Monica Vasquez 2 months ago - January 13, 2024 at 11:57 am
I read this while in the hospital when my daughter had brain surgery a lot of things happing at once in all area of my life. Inspiring and a reminder of my worth and my valued soul
Judith Arsenault 2 months ago - January 8, 2024 at 5:24 am
Could you mail me a copy of this please?
Celeste Green 3 months ago - January 2, 2024 at 9:12 am
My brothers and sisters including their spouses and myself are in the golden years of our lives. My prayer with God's love and grace, we too can make sweet music to draw generations to come to the Touch of the Master's hand!
Doug Cannon 3 months ago - January 1, 2024 at 6:58 am
Each year on Christmas morning after opening presents we read several stories relating to Christmas. We always end with “The Touch of the Master’s Hand” as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
We started this tradition one year when our finances were in rough shape and the gifts we could afford were meager. Our children later said “this was the best Christmas ever”
Vince Ballard 3 months ago - December 27, 2023 at 8:45 pm
So powerful and true .
Brody Morris 3 months ago - December 16, 2023 at 8:22 pm
The Holy Spirit woke me up and had me read this poem I must be getting ready to preach somewhere
Fiailoa Troxell 3 months ago - December 14, 2023 at 9:34 pm
mahalo read this in 1991 & been looking for it
Alisa 3 months ago - December 14, 2023 at 6:25 pm
I haven't seen this in so long! My grandson now plays the violin and has never heard this poem . I would love a copy to give him
Thank you
David Dively 3 months ago - December 10, 2023 at 10:57 pm
Thank you
Kathylester 3 months ago - December 7, 2023 at 4:08 pm
This song we heard when my children were young but now one of them is getting old an having trouble an I reintroduced this song back to him. And one time at the goodwill store a lady handed me an old old print of this song and you can see Jesus standing in background working touching something a miracle
Joyce Jefferson 3 months ago - December 7, 2023 at 10:54 am
I love this poem and would like to have a copy of it.
Amanda Scott 4 months ago - December 2, 2023 at 10:31 am
This is beautiful. I would like a print of this please if possible.
Mary Moore 4 months ago - November 27, 2023 at 1:30 am
I love this poem! It word speak truth. A soul is changed but only by the touch of the Master Hand!
Pascal Vaco 4 months ago - November 25, 2023 at 12:30 am
Great poem. God by His holy spirit can touch and change lives. Thank you for sharing.
Jennifer Warren 4 months ago - November 21, 2023 at 6:14 am
Love this
Jesse 4 months ago - November 21, 2023 at 12:51 am
A friend of mine who is a Preacher of 55 years and a Auctioneer for sense he was a young man told this poem at a community Thanksgiving service , I would love a copy , Thank you
Patti Zimmerman 4 months ago - November 20, 2023 at 7:16 am
It's one of my husband's favorites.
KAZ 4 months ago - November 15, 2023 at 6:19 pm
I WOULD ?? A COPY OF THAT PLEASE
FAYE PRICE 4 months ago - November 12, 2023 at 6:54 am
have always loved this poem, will coordinate it with my testimony.
Sandra K Howell 4 months ago - November 5, 2023 at 2:50 pm
Yes please..I miss my dad's heart He was an amazing man
Sandra Howell 4 months ago - November 5, 2023 at 2:26 pm
My dad gave this to me before he passed away..It is now starting to miss some of the words..It is an amazing poem
Jacqueline Fuller 4 months ago - November 4, 2023 at 4:19 pm
This is read sometimes at Alcohol Anonymous meetings. I would love a copy!
??
Thank you
Suzan 4 months ago - November 3, 2023 at 7:12 pm
I love this.
I don't know that you know this, but it's also a song.
Margaret Kitson 5 months ago - October 29, 2023 at 11:51 pm
This was quoted in this morning's sermon and it touched my heart. I would very much like to have a copy to share with other who might receive the same help from it.
Bill Boshier 5 months ago - October 29, 2023 at 10:43 pm
Heard it years ago would like acopy to take to my church. A small Christian fellowship , Thank you , Olé Bill.
Margaret McCutchen 5 months ago - October 28, 2023 at 5:53 am
Love this! For some reason it just came to mind from many years ago.
Koula Kon 5 months ago - October 27, 2023 at 3:15 pm
I would love a print of this poem. It is one of my favourites.
Thanks
Koula
Jacqueline Du Toit 5 months ago - October 27, 2023 at 4:48 am
Thank you, this is a very special poem.
It make you think, when we place ourselves in the Master's hands and let His will be done and let Him be in control of our lives. What we can achieve and nothing can stop us when God our Father is at the realm.
Please send me a copy.
Karen 5 months ago - October 26, 2023 at 2:24 pm
Please send me a print of that poem. Thanks