Fr. Berardi’s favorite poem: The Old Violin

Below is a poem read by Jerry Kelly after Father James Berardi’s Golden Jubilee Mass on Sunday celebrating his 50 years as a priest It is the favorite poem of Fr. Berardi, said Mrs. Kelly who read it also at his 25th and 40th celebration. Mrs. Kelly (shown here with Fr. Berardi) was part of his drama group which staged a number of programs including skits and songs for a show March 30,2008 celebrating the centennial of Annunciation Church.

Here is the poem:

"THE OLD VIOLIN"

"Twas battered, scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin
But held it up with a smile.

'What am I bidden, good people,' 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?'
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 don't quite understand
What changed its worth?' Swiftly came the reply
The touch of the master's 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 is gone once, and gone twice;
He's going and almost gone.

But the Master's hand 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."