Each Tuesday morning they all stand in line

The auction board open promptly at nine

The gavel came down on the auctioneer's block

And the bidding began on the grandfather's clock



Next up for bids in the rear of the room

A piano worn down and a bit out of tune

"Who'll start the bidding" the auctioneer inquired

No voices rang out so just put it aside



Shouts filled the room and the auction went on

But the choirs of the crowd were stopped by a song

Everyone turned to the rear of the room

To that worn down piano, a bit out of tune



Oh the days long ago when the crowds came around

To hear that piano ring out a sound

But the crowds have all gone and the symphony is through

And the piano cries out "Let me play once for you"



A man with a torn coat and a hole is one shoe

Sat playing the song that nobody knew

The music rang out and that song filled the room

From that worn down piano, a bit out of tune



Then from the crowd a man shouted a bid

"One thousand dollars for that piano I'll give"

"Two thousand" "Three thousand", and the bidding went on

As the man in the torn coat, kept playing that song



The bidding grew tense, each bid more and more

Till a five thousand figure rang out from the floor

The man in the torn coat just sat there and stared

Playing that song, as if noone were there



Oh the days long ago when the crowds came around

To hear that piano ring out a sound

But the crowds have all gone and the symphony is through

And the piano cries out "Let me play once for you"



(piano plays)



The man in the torn coat played as of to say

"I true want you piano, but I have nothing to pay

I'd give all I own