The Touch of the Master's Hand
The Touch of the Master's Hand
"Twas battered and scared, 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 bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar - now who'll make it 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 gray-haired 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 an angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: "What am I bidden for the old violin?"
And he 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 its worth?" The man replied:
"The touch of the masters hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and torn with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to a 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 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's wrought
By the touch of the MASTER'S hand.
~Myra Brooks Welch
This has always been one of my favorite poems. It fits in with being thankful in all things. The poet, Myra Brooks Welch, was certainly a remarkable person. Myra Brooks Welch was born sometime in the late 19th Century in America. No one knows just when. She was a resident of La Verne, California. As a youngster her special joy was playing the organ but this was denied her in later life as she suffered badly from arthritis and spent much of her time in a wheelchair. She wrote with an inverted pencil in each of her gnarled hands and would pick out the words on a type writer. She said that the joy of her writing outweighed the pain of her efforts. She was known as “The poet with the singing soul”.So often handicaps bring out the best in people and cause them to fight against the odds and achieve heights of accomplishment that they otherwise might never have striven for! She used to pat the arm of her wheelchair and say, "And I thank God for this!"Imagine being thankful for a wheelchair. But her great talent lay undiscovered prior to her wheelchair days. What a lesson for all of us. there are great morals found here in this poem, too many for me to mention, but each one will apply to someone. Thanks Sally, for the poem and the picture.
Shirley thank you for all this information. I had no idea who wrote this. When I saw Sally had it on I just read it and loved it. What a remarkable story this is. Hugs
Isn't this poem great? It is a classic, as is Andre.
The poem speaks to all people being of value. The soft lesson this poem shares with us has held up through the ages.
(photo by Jeanine Ann)
Thank you for that background on Myra Brooks Welch. I did not know. May she be Blessed.
Sally this is just gorgeous and how it does fit our maestro. A violin (as with any instrument) is just a violin until it is brought to life by the master's hand. I think there is a deeper meaning also in that we were nothing until we were brought to life by our heavenly Master's hand. Hugs
You are right Jeanine Ann. I always got out of this little poem that we can't always judge by outward appearance. Who knows what beauty lays inside.
I DO AGREE, THE BEAUTY COMES FROM THE INSIDE. SHIRLEY, YOU ALWAYS HAVE THE BEST ANSWER. THANKS FOR THE GOOD INFO OF THE WRITE, I WOULD NOT KNOWN, I WOULD HAVE TO DIG DEEP TO FIND HER.
Kati, several years ago, when I first read this poem I tried to find out info on this lady. her story is very interesting. There is a book, paperback, that you can order called "The Story Behind the Touch of the Master's Hand", it's got some good historical information in it. I think Amazon used to have it, at least that's where I ordered mine from.
THANKS FOR THE GREAT INFO, SHIRLEY, I WILL CHECK IT OUT, VERY MUCH INTERESTED. BEAUTIFUL LINE, BEAUTIFUL POEM! ENJOYED IT!
When I first read this this morning, I smiled. It's a beautiful poem and very fitting for the season. To be thankful for what you have is a beautiful thing.
Sally, thanks for this, it's perfect. Shirley, thanks for your remarks about the author and her life. It seems true that those with hardships...I believe that sometimes it truly does bring out the heart and soul of the person. They seem to accomplish much in life. When you can write and poem and have an attitude like Myra Brooks Welch proves it. She seems like she was an amazing person.
Thanks Sally, Jeanine Ann, and Shirley for the nice conversation. And yes, thank you Sally for the wonderful picture.
The title of this entry, fits the picture perfectly! I love it.
It is fitting. I agree. So often we overlook what is truly beautiful. Yet the touch of the master .. is all it really takes.
Hello, dear Sally et Alias !!!
You have come up with beautiful ideas, like the above poem. Thank you very much for an empty spot filled.
More power to you!
Sincerely,
Hermina