The Touch Of The Master's Hand
Photo. . JA
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.
(Note: This poem
was put on by Sally
some time ago and
I thought it was
worth a repeat)
~Myra Brooks Welch
What an absolutely beautiful poem this is Jeanine Ann. Wonderful.
This is a very beautiful poem...when we look past the layer that's on the outside, the value of the soul is priceless. Like the value of the violin is there, it took a "master" to bring it out, but it was there.
Everyone is worth something, there are no lost souls.
When I think about the violin, I think of Andre's hand that touches the violin...when he does, then the "master" is at work and the music is what we hear. I close my eyes and the music is so beautiful, so happy and so peaceful. There are many who play the violin, but Andre is who makes me the happiest.
Oh Jeanine Ann that poem is so beautiful,
I first heard it a few weeks ago at our methodist church. it was read by the Preacher. but to top it with a picture of Andre is really wonderful and I would like to frame it for my wall if that is O.K. with you. For apart from the religious message in there, Andre has really taught me through his music and his personality a new way to look at life. through which I feel very much better. and for this I will always be very gratefull to Andre his music and the new friends he has brought to me. Thankyou so much Jeanine Ann. Love Elizabeth
Truly delightful Thank you for sharing Jeanine Ann xx
The author of this poem was an amazing woman herself. She came from a very musical family & as a young woman she loved to play the organ.When she later became crippled from severe arthritis., even though her hands were badly deformed & she was in a wheelchair she found a way to express herself through poetry. She would take a pencil between both hands and using the eraser end would very slowly type the words that were in her heart. They called her the poet with the singing soul.
There is a great moral in her story isn't there?
The above piece really tugs at one heartstrings, its soooooo beautiful I've read a lot but never come across that one as Andre' would say whilst scratching the back of His neck I Did'nt know dat one!
This is a beautiful and wonderful piece in poetry. How fitting, in terms of history, emotional & musical value when we think of Andre, amongst other values I may have not mentioned, even to me who has no true relationship with music no matter how much I love music! I was brought up with Classical Music, yet am tone deaf even though I love music. Many things/objects in this life are just simply 'there', yet can be brought to life with love and mastery.
How quick we can be in this World to discard a treasure without taking the time to experience the true value of something - or someone!
Thanks for sharing this! XXX