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
489 Comment(s)
Faith Goehring 2 days ago - April 23, 2024 at 3:25 am
copy so I can print please.
Camille Dulisse 5 days ago - April 20, 2024 at 12:35 am
Please send me a print of this true and loving poem. Thank you
Camille Dulisse 5 days ago - April 20, 2024 at 12:33 am
Very beautiful.
Joy 5 days ago - April 19, 2024 at 9:10 pm
Beautiful,and so true!!
Rusty Draper 1 week 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 1 week 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 2 weeks ago - April 9, 2024 at 3:28 am
I would love a print of this beautiful poem.
Gloria Jenkins Smith 3 weeks 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 4 weeks 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 4 weeks 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 1 month ago - March 25, 2024 at 11:25 am
Yes, please send me a copy. Very inspirational. Thanks
Rhoda Tuckey 1 month ago - March 25, 2024 at 7:59 am
Yes, please sent me a copy.
Pat Brennan 1 month ago - March 25, 2024 at 12:07 am
Forgot to say, I'd love a copy please?
Pat Brennan. 1 month 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 1 month ago - March 24, 2024 at 10:15 pm
Beautiful life-changing poem
Marypatricia Birrell 1 month ago - March 24, 2024 at 2:56 am
Thank you!
What a beautiful poem!
I would love a copy!
Dave Leland 1 month 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 1 month ago - March 19, 2024 at 12:08 pm
I would love a copy. Thanks ??
Audra Bard 1 month 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 1 month ago - March 17, 2024 at 10:03 pm
Thank you
PORTIA WILDMAN-PHILLIP 1 month 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 3 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 3 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 3 months ago - February 6, 2024 at 12:53 am
Very beautiful!
Sara Harrison 3 months 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 3 months 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 3 months 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 3 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 3 months ago - January 27, 2024 at 3:32 am
For friends funeral ..her favourite poem
Janice Rose 3 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 3 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 3 months ago - January 20, 2024 at 2:32 am
Beautiful poem
Kathy Lester 3 months ago - January 17, 2024 at 9:36 pm
Yes I would like a print of this lovesong
Doris Magness 3 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 3 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 4 months ago - January 8, 2024 at 5:24 am
Could you mail me a copy of this please?
Celeste Green 4 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 4 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 4 months ago - December 27, 2023 at 8:45 pm
So powerful and true .
Brody Morris 4 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 4 months ago - December 14, 2023 at 9:34 pm
mahalo read this in 1991 & been looking for it
Alisa 4 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 4 months ago - December 10, 2023 at 10:57 pm
Thank you
Kathylester 5 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 5 months ago - December 7, 2023 at 10:54 am
I love this poem and would like to have a copy of it.
Amanda Scott 5 months ago - December 2, 2023 at 10:31 am
This is beautiful. I would like a print of this please if possible.