By Human Hands

Though made of wood
And tempered steel
My soul and voice
By God were made.

From strings I talk
So sweet my tones
In notes they float
like in a dream.

Of wood I’m made
By human hands
They carved my form
with love and art.

And human hands
then make me sing.
Their fingers tune
my voice of spring.

Of wood I’m made
To music make
My name is Viola,
De Gamba, I say!