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
511 Comment(s)
norma rennie 4 weeks ago - September 18, 2024 at 5:50 am
I learned this some years ago and would like to say it at a retreat where I will be doing the sense Touch along with others who will do the other senses. I remember a lot of it still but at 85 my memory does sometimes let me down.
Mark Spotswood 4 weeks ago - September 17, 2024 at 1:28 pm
Very refreshing and true.
Many years ago a down and out alcoholic I knew shared this with me as it had actually ministered to Him when He was truly down and out.
Brian Bain 1 month ago - September 13, 2024 at 6:23 am
The Old Violin. Yes I would like a print of this poem.
Very Good! Goes well with Ecclesiastes 12
Tony Chadima 2 months ago - August 12, 2024 at 4:54 am
Great and true
Dale Richardson 2 months ago - July 31, 2024 at 5:33 am
Such beautiful and elegant wording to describe the power of God
Sue Labbe 3 months ago - July 19, 2024 at 12:19 pm
I memorized this poem many many years ago when I was in high school. I was so happy to find it again.
Mrs Parthens 3 months ago - June 30, 2024 at 5:41 am
The original poem contains the word “sin” (which was somehow censored and replaced with the word “hardship” in the version shown here). “Sin” means “a missing of the mark” and stands for erring human thought. The version above also contains several other errors, not found in the original.
Here is the original poem:
'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.
Myra Welch would say that she heard a speaker address a group of students on the power of God to bring out the best in people. She said she herself became filled with light and that “Touch of the Master’s Hand” was written in 30 minutes!.
The finished poem was sent anonymously to the editor of her local church news bulletin. She felt it was a gift from God and didn’t need her name on it.
Donna 4 months ago - June 22, 2024 at 8:27 am
I'd like a copy of this poem for SS Sunday!
Rickie DeBoise 4 months ago - June 3, 2024 at 12:48 pm
Beautiful poem.
Judy a Compton 4 months ago - May 31, 2024 at 1:49 am
I love this Poem. Please send a copy
Susan 4 months ago - May 30, 2024 at 11:08 pm
I have my Dad’s 90 year old violin. I love this poem. Please send a copy
Ronald varney 5 months ago - May 29, 2024 at 6:05 am
Would like a copy
Clarence E Pattison 5 months ago - May 25, 2024 at 2:43 am
My Mother used to quote this entire poem sometimes when testifying in church.
Ron Varney 5 months ago - May 22, 2024 at 11:33 am
Would like a copy. Really great!!! Copy so I can print
Gail Huntley 5 months ago - May 19, 2024 at 3:07 am
So beautiful
Jean Glass 5 months ago - May 14, 2024 at 6:16 am
Yes very pretty story
James Hall 5 months ago - May 12, 2024 at 2:03 am
I struggle with doing and showing what I should and can do for my Lord. When I allow God to do his thing then everything works out for his glory. When I am reminded of this poem knowing he is my master who does tune me to give him glory. Praise his name, I would appreciate a copy
Thank you
J. Hall
Lon E Eckdahl 5 months ago - May 7, 2024 at 8:39 am
I love this poem!
Larry Hensley 5 months ago - May 6, 2024 at 5:15 am
I recited this poem at a church service 60 years ago!
Cathy Baker 5 months ago - May 1, 2024 at 3:40 am
This was my mother’s favorite.
Please send a print.
janice rands 6 months ago - April 29, 2024 at 4:28 pm
would like a print of this
Paula Blalock 6 months ago - April 28, 2024 at 5:09 am
this poem helps me daily to know my worth and others around me.
Faith Goehring 6 months ago - April 23, 2024 at 3:25 am
copy so I can print please.
Camille Dulisse 6 months ago - April 20, 2024 at 12:35 am
Please send me a print of this true and loving poem. Thank you
Camille Dulisse 6 months ago - April 20, 2024 at 12:33 am
Very beautiful.
Joy 6 months ago - April 19, 2024 at 9:10 pm
Beautiful,and so true!!
Rusty Draper 6 months ago - April 17, 2024 at 2:09 pm
This old recitation has been around for a long time, and I would love to give it a try this Saturday at the Rugby hall.
Sue Labbe 6 months ago - April 17, 2024 at 12:03 pm
I memorized this poem when I was in high school way back in the early sixties. I still love it!
Anne Davis 6 months ago - April 9, 2024 at 3:28 am
I would love a print of this beautiful poem.
Gloria Jenkins Smith 6 months ago - April 4, 2024 at 9:57 am
Beautiful...brought a tear to my eyes
Would love a copy to hang on the wall...
Marsha Peterson 6 months ago - March 31, 2024 at 10:51 am
This poem is so beautiful and true. I’m going to share it with a group of people at church.
Linda Leri 7 months ago - March 26, 2024 at 5:19 am
May I please have a copy of The touch of the masters hand sent to me
Have a blessed day!
Thank you
Shelly Lewis 7 months ago - March 25, 2024 at 11:25 am
Yes, please send me a copy. Very inspirational. Thanks
Rhoda Tuckey 7 months ago - March 25, 2024 at 7:59 am
Yes, please sent me a copy.
Pat Brennan 7 months ago - March 25, 2024 at 12:07 am
Forgot to say, I'd love a copy please?
Pat Brennan. 7 months ago - March 25, 2024 at 12:06 am
Every once in a while a poem comes into my life and inspires me to just react with a desfening "WOW!" This happened to me today, Palm Sunday.
Robert Commodari 7 months ago - March 24, 2024 at 10:15 pm
Beautiful life-changing poem
Marypatricia Birrell 7 months ago - March 24, 2024 at 2:56 am
Thank you!
What a beautiful poem!
I would love a copy!
Dave Leland 7 months ago - March 21, 2024 at 12:51 am
I'm not a very 'poetic' person but this is my favorite poem. I've loved it from the first time I read it.
Carol Reinoehl 7 months ago - March 19, 2024 at 12:08 pm
I would love a copy. Thanks ??
Audra Bard 7 months 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 7 months ago - March 17, 2024 at 10:03 pm
Thank you
PORTIA WILDMAN-PHILLIP 7 months 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 7 months 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 7 months 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 8 months 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 8 months 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 8 months 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 8 months 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 8 months ago - February 6, 2024 at 12:53 am
Very beautiful!