"Touch of the Master's Hand"

'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

JN
Oct96