“The Touch of the Master’s Hand”
by Myra Brooks Welch
T’was 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 bid, good folks ” he cried,
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?”
“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 loose strings.
He played a melody pure and sweet,
as a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer,
with a voice that was quite low,
Said: “What am I bid for the old violin?”
and 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 it’s worth?, Swift came the reply,
“The Touch of the Masters 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”
and almost gone.
“But the Master comes and the foolish crowd,
never can quite understand.
The worth of a soul and the changes that wrought,
by “The Touch of the Master’s Hand.”