TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND
(Myra Brook Welch)

'Twas battered and scarred and the old auctioneer
He though it scarcely worthwhile
To waste much time with the old violin
But he held it up with a smile

What am I bidden, good folk, he cried
Who'll start the bidding for me
A dollar, a dollar, come, who'll make it two
Two dollars, now who'll make it three

Three dollars once and three dollars twice
And going for three -- but no
From the back of the room a grey haired man
Stepped forward and picked up the bow

And brushing the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the loose strings
He played a melody pure and so sweet
Sweet as the angels sing

When the music ceased the old auctioneer
In a voice that was quiet and low
Asked, What am I bidden for the old violin
And he held it up with the bow

A thousand dollars -- come, who'll make it two
Two thousand, and who'll make it three
Three thousand once and three thousand twice
And going and gone, cried he

And the people shouted, and 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's going once and he's 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

Poem written by Myra Brook Welch in 1927.
Published in "The Messenger" and "Good Old Days"
Set to music by Sally Rogers
filename[ MASTRHND
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