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Introduction
“The Fourth Man” by The Statler Brothers is a stirring testament to faith, resilience, and divine intervention. Drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Book of Daniel, the song brings to life the moment when three brave men refused to bow down to an idol, choosing to stand firm in their beliefs even when faced with death. As they were thrown into a fiery furnace, a miraculous sight appeared—a fourth figure, shining bright, walking alongside them, protecting them from harm.
Listening to this song feels like being wrapped in the comforting reminder that we are never alone in our struggles. The Statler Brothers sing with a blend of reverence and conviction, making it easy to imagine the overwhelming sense of peace that must have filled the hearts of those three men as they saw that divine presence in the flames. It’s a story of courage and faith, told through harmonies that feel timeless and powerful.
What sets “The Fourth Man” apart is how it intertwines faith with storytelling. Each verse builds on the suspense, drawing you in as if you’re right there in the crowd, watching the events unfold. And then, just when you think all hope is lost, the chorus bursts through with the reassurance that there’s always someone watching over, guiding us through even the hottest fires of life.
Beyond its biblical origins, this song resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, cornered, or faced impossible odds. Its message? Hold on. There’s always a fourth man in the fire, a symbol of hope and protection that can appear in many forms—whether it’s a friend, a family member, or a quiet inner strength you didn’t know you had.
The Statler Brothers’ delivery is smooth yet emphatic, capturing that balance of storytelling and spiritual upliftment that they are known for. The vocal arrangement, with its layered harmonies, seems to rise and fall like a prayer. It’s the kind of song that leaves an impression, a subtle reminder that no matter what we face, we are not walking through the flames alone.
Video
Lyrics
Here is a story
From the good book we know
A story ’bout a miracle
That happened long ago
We hope that you’ll take courage
When temptation you meet
There’s somebody watching you
Who’s strong when you’re weak
They wouldn’t bend
They held on to the will of God so we are told
They wouldn’t bow
They would not bow their knee to the idol made of gold
They wouldn’t burn
They were protected by the fourth man in the fire
They wouldn’t bend
They wouldn’t bow, they wouldn’t burn
Now the prophet Danial tells about
Three men who walked with God
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Before the wicked king they stood
And the king demanded them
Bound and thrown
In the firey furnace that day
But the fire was so hot
That the men were slain
Who forced them on their way
Now when the few were thrown in
And the king rose up
To witness this awful fate
He began to tremble at what he saw
And in astonished tones he spake
Did we not cast three men bound
Into the midst of that fire
Well though I see four men unhurt
Unbound and walking down there
There’s Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego
An’ the fiery coals they trod
And the form of the fourth man
That I see is like the Son of God
They wouldn’t bend
They held on to the will of God so we are told
They wouldn’t bow
They would not bow their knee to the idol made of gold
They wouldn’t burn
They were protected by the fourth man in the fire
They wouldn’t bend
They wouldn’t bow, they wouldn’t burn
They wouldn’t bend
They held on to the will of God so we are told
They wouldn’t bow
They would not bow their knee to the idol made of gold
They wouldn’t burn
They were protected by the fourth man in the fire
They wouldn’t bend
They wouldn’t bow, they wouldn’t burn
They wouldn’t bend
They held on to the will of God so we are told
They wouldn’t bow
They would not bow their knee to the idol made of gold
They wouldn’t burn
They were protected by the fourth man in the fire
They wouldn’t bend
They wouldn’t bow, they wouldn’t burn