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The Old Violin

from Hard as Nails by Alex MacDonald

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about

We look on the outward appearance; God looks on the heart, the heart he can redeem.

lyrics

THE OLD VIOLIN

It was battered and scarred and the auctioneer
thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin
as he held it up with a smile.
“What am I bidden, good folks?” he cried;
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?
A dollar? A dollar? Who’ll make it two?
Two dollars! Who’ll make it three?

Three dollars once! Three dollars twice!
And going? And gone? But no!
From the room far back came a grey-haired man,
and he picked it up with the bow.
And wiping the dust from the old violin
and tightening up all the strings
He played a melody pure and sweet -
as sweet as an angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
in 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? Who’ll make it two?
Two thousand! Who’ll make it three?
Three thousand once! Three thousand twice!
And going, and gone!” said he.

And the people cheered, but some of them said,
“We do not quite understand
What changed its worth.” Swift came the reply,
“It was the touch of the master’s hand.”
And there’s many a man with his life out of tune,
that’s battered and torn 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, he’s 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 or the change that is wrought
by the touch of the Master’s hand.

Lyrics credit: ‘The Touch of the Master’s Hand’ by Myra Brooks Welch

credits

from Hard as Nails, released November 19, 2021
Alex MacDonald - vocals and rhythm guitar
Rob MacDonald - drums
Phil Onslow - bass
Cailean Morison - piano and organ
Donald Forsyth - lead guitar
Olivia Ross - fiddle

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about

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Alex MacDonald Edinburgh, UK

Grew up in Kildonan Strath, Sutherland, where I loved the psalms and hymns and the old folk songs my father had learned from his drover grand uncle.Went on to Cash, the Clancys and Corries, Tom Paxton and Dylan. Started playing guitar and writing songs in my teens, but only started recording this century with my rock band sons! Either solo or with my band, I've played all over Scotland. ... more

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