Patrick Matthew

The Patrick Matthew Violin

Drawn bow on string makes music
What is it you’ll hear?
Open up your ears please
Pray listen and draw near
This instrument has stories
Its soul formed from the past
Quieten now to hear them
These tales resound at last

You hear the sound of Scotland
Of wrongs at last put right
Of stolen truth and glory
Of facts here brought to light
You hear a fallen hero
Of fraudulent deceit
A gentleman, a scholar
And how that man did cheat

You hear of Patrick Matthew
The hero of the piece
Who wrote of evolution
‘Ere Darwin’s book release
How Darwin took that glory
Denying he had known
Of Matthew’s published theory
Of life evolved and grown

Steve Burnett used fine timber
From Dolomites came spruce
A master craftsman shaping
The best he can produce

Blending driftwood with wood from
An ancient apple tree
From Megginch Castle’s grounds in
The Carse of Gowrie

So listen and take joy from
The music in your ears
So sweet the sound of justice
Uncovered over years
Hear stories now revealed here
By academic sleuth
Authentic tones to move you
So sweet the sound of truth