Found this reading through my husbands collections of poetry.
The touch of the Master’s Hand
‘Twas battered and scarred and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he 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…
And going for three… “but no.
From the room, far back, a gray-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! Who’ll make it three?
“Three going once? Three going twice?
“And going… and gone!” said he.
The people cheered but some of them cried,
“We do not 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 ‘o pottage”
A glass of wine
A game and he travels on.
He’s “going” once
And “going” twice
And “going”…and almost “gone.”
Then along comes the Master, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul or the change that’s wrought
By the touch of the Master’s Hand
–Myra Ross Welch (1926)
15 Responses to “Who would like to read this?”
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I’ve always liked that.
Very interesting? Thanks.
That is one of my favorites along with Desiderata and others I can’t remember at the moment. Thanks
That is beautiful and touched my heart.thank you.
Thanks so much – beautiful.
I saw a short film of this once. There was a little kid that bought the violin and did horrible things to it, like using it to fire darts. Such a touching poem!
Than you Dee Jay- I hears that not too long ago recited by Jimmy Dean on an old grand ole opry show.It is beautiful.
I’ve never read that one before, but it’s incredible:) Thank you for sharing it.
What a find. Thank-you.
I have always believed that the beauty found in a poem or in a piece of music is God’s way of saying that he still loves us. His message is loud and clear in this instance. Thank you DeeJay and Myra Ross Welch for doing God’s work.
Very good message, food for thought.
Yes…You both bring such beauty to my life …thank you.
I like that
Me!!
I would like to read it.
Now that I have, I would love to read it again and again.
I have never read it before.
A very familiar song that I’ve heard several groups and individuals sing. Touches my heart every time I hear it.