Michael Jackson lyrics up for sale

Los Angeles - Unreleased lyrics written by Michael Jackson are being sold.

The late singer's dermatologist Dr Arnold Klein is putting the eight-and-a-half line verse - which was given to him by the Beat It hitmaker, who died in July 2009 from acute Propofol intoxication - up for auction after he declared himself bankrupt.

Catherine Williamson - from auctioneers Bonhams, who have valued the note at between $3 000 and $5 000 - said: "It looks like it is written in poetic format. There are eight-and-a-half lines and they feel like lyrics. We could not find it in any of his published music so maybe it was a work in progress or is a song that has not yet been released.

"These lyrics are pretty intriguing and we will expect they will attract a lot of attention."

Predicted his own death

The Beverly Hills skin expert - who introduced the singer to his second wife Debbie Rowe, who he had two children with, Prince Michael, 14, and 13-year-old Paris - believes Michael may have predicted his own death in the note.

The verse begins: "Across the sea of time, we shall meet on endless shores, counting our blessings of love's eternity."

It is thought the words could have been work in progress for a new song, or even a track he abandoned.

Arnold's medical records were used in the trial of Michael's former physician, Dr Conrad Murray, who was found guilty of the involuntary manslaughter of the singer and sentenced to four years in prison in November 2011.

The auction is set to take place in Los Angeles, on January 23.