Introduction
The Statler Brothers and “The Fourth Man”: A Story of Faith
The Statler Brothers, a beloved American country gospel quartet, didn’t record “The Fourth Man” as an original composition. Instead, it’s a retelling of a powerful story of faith found in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament.
The original group, known as the Four Star Quartet before becoming The Statler Brothers, actually formed in 1955. Interestingly, there was a fifth member then – Joe McDorman. The group, centered in Staunton, Virginia, originally performed gospel music around their hometown.
“The Fourth Man” draws inspiration from the tale of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three young Hebrew men mentioned in the Book of Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon had erected a giant golden idol and commanded everyone to bow before it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refusing to worship any idol but their God, defied the king’s orders.
Infuriated, Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into a fiery furnace. However, the biblical story recounts a miraculous event. When the king looked into the furnace, he saw not three, but “four men walking about in the midst of the fire, loose, with bright faces, and no hair of their head singed, their coats were not burned, and no smell of fire came upon them.” (Daniel 3:25) This fourth presence, interpreted as an angelic figure or a manifestation of God himself, protected the faithful men from harm.
The Statler Brothers’ song stays true to this biblical narrative. Their rendition uses a gentle, acoustic melody to deliver the message of unwavering faith and divine intervention. The lyrics reference the story directly, mentioning Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the fiery furnace, and the king’s astonishment at seeing a fourth figure alongside them.
“The Fourth Man” serves as a powerful reminder of the strength found in faith. The Statler Brothers’ approach, combining a classic country sound with a timeless message of faith, resonated with audiences and helped solidify their place as one of America’s most cherished gospel groups.