Lyrics: The Master's Hand

(Dolly Parton)

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 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...