1. ‘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.

2. “Who’ll start the bidding good folk?” he cried,
“Two pounds and who’ll make it three?”
Then from the back came a white haired man
Who wiped off the dust and tightened the strings,
Then played a sweet song like an angel sings!

3. The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, “Now what am I bid for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.

4. “One thousand pounds – and who’ll make it two?
Two thousand - and who’ll make it three?
Three thousand once – three thousand twice –
And going – and gone,“ cried he.

5. The people cheered, but some of them cried.
“We do not understand.
What changed the worth?” - quick came the reply.
“The touch of the master’s hand!”

6. And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred by sin,
Is auctioned cheap, to a thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.

7. A glass of wine, a trip on drugs,
A game - and he travels on
He’s going once – and going twice
He’s going – and almost gone.

8. But Jesus the Master touched that man
Though many could not understand,
The worth of his soul and the change that was wrought,
By the “Touch of the Master’s hand!”

Myra Welch revised by David V. Jebson