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
403 Comment(s)
Please send me a copy.
I would like a copy please.
I need to make a copy of this poem to read at my brother-in-law's funeral
I would love a print. It is dear to my heart!
Many years ago when I was in college, my class visited a nursing home . We were privileged to meet and interview several residents.
I was struck by a tiny lady who had taught school for many years before her retirement.
She had an amazing and mesmerizing voice and recited this for us! What an extraordinary teacher she must have been! I am 80 now yet I can still hear her recitation in my mind. What a treasured memory!
The Masters Touch multiplies the worth and value, by leaps and bounds, of the rejected and thereby dejected,
It,s a wonderful story of redemption.
love the msg
RECITED THAT WHEN I WAS IN 9TH GRADE 1966
I first heard this poem read by the Headmaster of a High School - the way it should be read. I have always wanted a copy.
Everyone should read this at least once in a lifetime.
An awesome poem that touches the heart everytime. Can you send it to me please? Thank you.
I remember this poem from many years ago
How can I get 2 prints of this? I have loved it for years and I have two people I would like to give it to. Thank you for posting this.
I love this poem. Thank you for sending it to me.
I first heard this poem over forty years ago and it has lived in my soul ever since. Try this one also "The man in the Glass I have carried it with me and now I reflect!
2 years 3 months ago I hadn’t showered in weeks went to report to police station jumped on the train everyone moved away got to police station I’ll never forget the look the officer gave me, she wouldn’t have given 50 cents fir me by the grace of God I got my life back on track different today , I read this poem it’s brought me to tears that’s me the touch of the masters hand has done for me and in me what I couldn’t do my self praise and glory be given to God and Christ Jesus my redeemer and saviour.
This devotion stirred my heart this morning.I am going through a very hard time and I feel used and broken. Reading the poem and your reflection on it brought back a sense of beauty and hope, knowing that I am in the hand of the Master. I will produce good music again one day.
FOR OVER 30 YEARS I have always regarded this as my favorite.
Have loved this poem for years, first hearing it from my mother and father. Now at 76, it still resonates with me. So true to life that is missing in our time.
Thank you for sending me a reprint.
I love that poem & would like a copy
Please send a copy
I memorized this poem when I found a lithograph copy when I was in 8th or 9th grade. It was marked "anonymous" and when I recited (ballpark) it for my brother and sister (and a few neighbors) which incited this search. Though secular and not religious in any way, this work still gives me chills.
Please send a copy so I can frame and give to my granddaughter.
Ben Cacioppo
6210 S 193rd Ave
Omaha, NE. 68135
I would like a copy of the Old Violin.
My mom who is now 87 recite this poem to me many years ago. I do remember it, not in its entirety. So I looked it up online and alas it there. I will print and save it for my generation. I am going to surprise my mom by reciting this gem to her. It is so wonderful to know that we are God's masterpiece.
Each and every time I hear or read this I am moved, challenged and excited to remember what it takes to give a man a new life. What a masterful word picture she painted. It will go on for years.
We, I, need to consider the Word before I make myself a judge.
No matter how many times I have read this poem, it continues to bless and encourage me.
I recited this monalogue seventy four years ago and it has stayed with me and been an inspiration over the years.
Pikes Peak Towers
1912 Eastlake Blvd Apt 1003
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910
Please send me a copy so I can frame it in my home to my last breath as well
For I am sick but my neighbor is dying with lung cancer now & I do not have a printer...
Love this song story.
The poem is a mirror of my life before and after the Lord came into my life. It’s been 53 and this writing causes me to reflect and appreciate the more the Masters touch in my life . Oh how I love him because he first loved me.
This poem was a favourite of a spinster who was a living legend in our Town of Portstewart, County Derry and she would write it in her beautiful handwriting and hand it out to friends and neighbours as she saw fit. Kathleen or Cassie Murray as we knew her died in a Nursing Home in our town in 2013 aged 96 years and our Town lost a little bit of its heart and Soul with Cassie's passing. She is buried together with her parents, grandparents and greatparents in the village of Lavey, Maghera. My father was given a handwritten copy of this poem by Cassie but sadly following his passing in 2009 it has gone missing. I would dearly love a print of this so that I could mount it and frame it in memory of a uniquely gifted and spirited lady who represented in her own person this Violin. Cassie's life was a metaphor of this poem and she will always be remembered by people who knew and loved her and for future generations to come. I pray that you have found your heavenly home in God's Eternal Resting Place alongside your parents, grandparents and greatparents and your story telling and your love of poetry and the Irish Language is keeping everyone entertained.
Yes like a copy
Turning 80 soon. Haven’t heard this gem since 50’s high school, Junior Speech requirement.
Now I’m part of the not yet “invisible” Senior’s Pot Luck Gathering at the local meeting hall. We pledge of allegiance, salute the Flag, sing America the Beautiful, bless our food ,introduce ourselves and share some of our “gems” together. ?
My mother was a violinist and this poem reminds of her and her ministry in music. Thank you for sharing this and thank you for your website.
I love this song and the meaning oof it
A true blessing to read and a blessing as I consider its many messages
This poem has always been an absolute favorite of my brother. Well, he's in hospice now and like that old violin, our LORD is about to dust him off, tighten his strings and play the most beautiful melody ever heard. I am grateful to the author of this poem for writing such a wonderful description of how our GOD can take our frail puny lives and transform them into a symphony of love, grace, and hope. But, above all else LOVE, the greatest of these is LOVE and thank Myra Brooks Welch for "The Old Violin, The Touch of the Masters Hand", it has blessed many hearts and it has certainly blessed mine. Thank you.
Deep and meaningful poem
I memorized this poem as a teen because my mother had memorized it in school (One room / one teacher school) and had shared it with me. I chose it for a regional speech contest and placed but did not take first. The judges afterward told me they could not give me first because I was so wrapped up in the delivery I forgot to look down at the poem, and this was a poetry READING category.
I am in my mid-70s and not that "digitally inclined" and when I looked for a copy on my cell phone, it had been significantly altered.
This is the original and I'm glad to have it.
My all time favorite poem
The story of my life…His story in me
One of my father's favorites. He used it in several of his sermons.
Want to give this to my son for his 2 year anniversary ?
Do you have that poem in wallet size cards?
A wonderful blessing from our GOD.
HALLELUJAH.WHAT A GOD WHAT A SAVIOUR
This was one of Beloved mother's favourite poems
Wonderful word to a could not care less generation
Superb message from Our GOD OF ALL THIS WORLD
LOVE THIS!