’Twas battered and scarred, 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 bid, good folks," he cried "Who’ll start the bidding for me?"
"1 dollar, a dollar"; then, "Two! Only 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 the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet As the 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?" Swift came the reply: "The touch of a masters hand,"
And many a man with life out of tune And battered and scarred with sin,
Is
...