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)
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.
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.
The Old Violin. Yes I would like a print of this poem.
Very Good! Goes well with Ecclesiastes 12
Great and true
Such beautiful and elegant wording to describe the power of God
I memorized this poem many many years ago when I was in high school. I was so happy to find it again.
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.
I'd like a copy of this poem for SS Sunday!
Beautiful poem.
I love this Poem. Please send a copy
I have my Dad’s 90 year old violin. I love this poem. Please send a copy
Would like a copy
My Mother used to quote this entire poem sometimes when testifying in church.
Would like a copy. Really great!!! Copy so I can print
So beautiful
Yes very pretty story
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
I love this poem!
I recited this poem at a church service 60 years ago!
This was my mother’s favorite.
Please send a print.
would like a print of this
this poem helps me daily to know my worth and others around me.
copy so I can print please.
Please send me a print of this true and loving poem. Thank you
Very beautiful.
Beautiful,and so true!!
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.
I memorized this poem when I was in high school way back in the early sixties. I still love it!
I would love a print of this beautiful poem.
Beautiful...brought a tear to my eyes
Would love a copy to hang on the wall...
This poem is so beautiful and true. I’m going to share it with a group of people at church.
May I please have a copy of The touch of the masters hand sent to me
Have a blessed day!
Thank you
Yes, please send me a copy. Very inspirational. Thanks
Yes, please sent me a copy.
Forgot to say, I'd love a copy please?
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.
Beautiful life-changing poem
Thank you!
What a beautiful poem!
I would love a copy!
I'm not a very 'poetic' person but this is my favorite poem. I've loved it from the first time I read it.
I would love a copy. Thanks ??
I have loved this poem ever since I heard it when I was in high school.
Thank you
I recited this poem a couple of times in church. I truly love this poem.
I just heard this read out by a Pastor on YouTube and all blown away. Wow! ?
I would like to use this in my 7th grade religion class and have my students memorize it. Can I get a copy??
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
I'd love to be able to print this for my students. I used it in our lesson today.
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.
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.
Very beautiful!