The Touch Of The Masters Hand

My grandpa barnes is famous for the many poems that he memorizes and recite..... I remember when I was little that I was going to memorize the one I heard him say often....
The Touch of the Masters Hand

twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
thought it scarcely worth his while

to waste much time on the old violin,

but held it up with a smile: "what am I bidden, good folks," he cried,

"A dollar, a dollar"; then, "two!" "only two?

two dollars, once; three dollars, twice;

going for three--" but no,

from the room, far back, a grey haired man

came froward and picked up the bow;

then, wiping the dust from the old violin,

and tightening the loose strings,

he played a melody pure and sweet

as a caroling angel sings.

the music ceased, and the auctioneer,

with a voice that was quiet and low,

said, "what am I bid 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," switch 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 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