The Touch Of The Master's Hand

The Touch Of The Master's Hand

Recording by Bill Anderson

'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 folk?" he cried.
"Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar ... now 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 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 bid for the old violin?"
As he held it up with the bow.

"A thousand dollars ... and who'll make it two?
Two...two thousand, and who'll make it three?
Three thousand once and three thousand twice ...
Three thousand and gone!" said he.

The people cheered, but some exclaimed
"We do not quite understand ...
What changed it's worth?" and the answer came:
" 'Twas the touch of the master's hand."

And many a man with soul out of tune
And battered and scarred by sin
Is auctioned cheap by the thoughtless crowd
Just like the old violin.

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul, and the change that is wrought
By the touch of the master's hand.

O Master! I am the tuneless one
Lay, lay Thy hand on me,
Transform me now, put a song in my heart
Of melody, Lord, to Thee!

~ Myra Brooks Welch ~

The Master's Hand

If ever your life is out of tune,
And no music soothes the soul,
Seek out The Master whose gentle touch
Will bless you and make you whole.

Like an old violin, weathered and worn
A life may not be so grand,
But may be uplifted, transformed, and renewed
By the touch of The Master's Hand.

~ Ken Brown ~

This Page Is Dedicated
To The Memory Of Our Father

William Aubrey "Pop" McKinley

Born November 10, 1899
Promoted to eternity with Jesus, July 26, 1981

My sister, Juanita "Nita" Biffle, has enclosed Pop's violin in a glass-top table, along with other objects, similar to the image at the top of this page. An appraiser thought the violin was made in Germany sometime in mid to late 19th century.

The violin was passed down to Pop from his father, William Alpheus "Pa-Pa" McKinley, born June 16, 1856, died June 7, 1929. Pa-Pa, who had a beautiful and melodious voice, belonged to the Powellton Methodist Church in Powellton, Georgia where he played the violin and led singing in church and in camp meetings.

In addition to the violin, Pop played the piano by ear ... never had a music lesson in his life. During the last few weeks of his life, his mental confusion was so bad that, most of the time, he did not know anyone or even know where he was. Also, he had not played the piano in a very long time. But when Nita and Beyer (the oldest son) visited him at the nursing home, the three of them walked down the hall to the reception area where there was a piano. Beyer asked Pop to play the piano but, knowing the situation as she did, Nita thought "No way!" To her amazement, Pop sat down and played When I Take My Vacation In Heaven without missing a note. Two weeks later, Pop took his vacation in heaven. Truly, It Is No Secret what God can do! (Pop's favorite song)

Listen to "OH, MY PA-PA" including lyrics.

Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy
God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be
prolonged, and that it may go well with
thee, in the land which the Lord
thy God giveth thee.

Deuteronomy 5:16 (KJV)

Happy 80th Birthday, Pop!

A poem written by Pop's youngest daughter,
Rosa Claire a/k/a "Rose" a/k/a "Sissy" McKinley
November 10, 1979

We've called this little gatherin'
To honor our favorite Pop.
'Course, he's our favorite
'Cause, as we all know,
He's the only one we've got!

Now 80 years ain't much, you say?
Well, maybe not to some.
But, wait a minute, look a'here,
You'll see how come.

Back in 1899, you see,
Little William Aubrey was born.
And Me-Ma and Pa-Pa were so distraught,
They said, "No more chillun, we've sworn."

So Aubrey grew up, the youngest of seven;
A spoiled little brat was he.
And then came the time that he left home
To see what he could see.

Well, it wasn't long till he did see
Flora Belle waltzin' along.
He grabbed her right up and, with stars in his eyes,
Sang her a wedding song.

Now, before you know it, along came the kids.
Good grief! Seven of them!
Are you beginning to get the picture?
That'll put a few gray hairs on your head ... 'specially this mixture!

First, Raymond Beyer, with a mind all his own,
But, you ain't seen nothin' yet.
When Julia Ruth came along,
They threw 'way the pattern, you bet!

Now Edison Bridges, that handsome devil,
Was born with horns on his noodle.
But, even so, he was pure delight;
Pop was proud as Yankee Doodle.

Ralph Herndon was next and he was all right,
To the best we all recall.
But, why didn't they stop while they were ahead?
Doris Juanita topped them all!

And, as if that wasn't enough, "here come de judge,"
William Alfred, a sight to behold!
And, with Rosa Claire, they quit at last;
They'd finally struck pure gold.

And, by now, Pop's hair had not only turned gray,
But, alas, it had mostly turned loose.
If you think that's the end of this tale of woe,
You're mistaken; there's more to deduce.

"Grandpa!" they shouted, all together.
Uh, oh! Here they come:
Jerry and Allen and Ralph and Donny,
Ray and Debbie and Mike and Renita,
Gary and Barry and Rodger and Patty,
David and Robert and Rosie.

Fifteen grandchildren?! That's enough! Stop!
But, no, the end's not now.
Shawn and Rusty and Christopher.
Great grandchildren! Wow!

Children and grandchildren, great grandchildren! Whee!
Inlaws and outlaws and lawsy, Lawsy, LAWSY me!

So, you see why Pop deserves honor today?
The McKinley clan's reason enough!
But, that's not the only reason we know.
He's grand ... he's our Pop ... we all love!

If Pop was still alive, he would now be 106 years old.
But, praise the Lord, he is now in heaven where he will
"Never Grow Old"

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CREDITS:

"The Touch Of The Master's Hand"
Bill Anderson

"It Is No Secret" and "Never Grow Old"
Jim Nabors