[Intro] [Man, spoken] They put me in stocks. [Woman, spoken] For preaching? [Man, spoken] For refusing to quit. [Woman, spoken] Well, that seems inconvenient. [Verse 1: Man] They clamped my ankles by the courthouse wall, A wooden welcome, not a welcome at all. I’d spoken of Jesus in the market square, They said, “Keep it to yourself.” I said, “I can’t, I care.” The guards made a note, the neighbors all stared, I gave them the message; they gave me a chair— Well, not quite a chair, more a brace and a chain, But I’ve preached through worse than a cramp in the brain. [Verse 2: Woman] You’re chained to a post with your knees turned askew, And still you’ve got sermons for everyone who Came by to gawk at the stocks and the show. You’ve got quite a crowd for a man stuck down low. The jailer says, “Quiet!” You answer, “I will— When truth takes a day off and the heart holds still!” I’d say that’s devotion, or terrible sense, Or both, if we’re weighing the evidence. [Pre-Chorus: Both] [Woman] They lock the legs— [Man] The words walk free! [Woman] They shut the gate— [Man] Still hear me! [Both] One wooden frame, one iron ring, And one more chance to say the thing! [Chorus: Both] Stocks on my feet, fire in my speech, You can pin me down, but you can’t stop the reach! Laugh if you like, bring a bench, bring a key— I’ll tell you of Jesus till they set me free! [Woman] He’s stuck in the stocks! [Man] But not in his view! [Both] The tighter they lock him, the louder comes through! [Verse 3: Man] A guard brought his lunch with a stern little frown, Said, “No more preaching till the sun goes down.” I said, “That’s a long time to wait for the sun.” He sighed, “You’re a handful.” I said, “Only one!” My ankles were aching; my back wasn’t grand, But a neighbor leaned closer and offered a hand. I told him the hope that had carried me there— The guard heard the whole thing. He pretended not to care. [Bridge: Woman and Man] [Woman, spoken] Did you ever wish you’d kept quiet? [Man, spoken] For a minute. Then someone needed hope. [Woman] So even with your legs locked tight— [Man] I found a way to keep the door of mercy open wide. [Both, sung] Wood can hold a body, not a reason to believe; A small word planted firmly has a way to take root and breathe. [Final Chorus: Both] Stocks on my feet, fire in my speech, You can pin me down, but you can’t stop the reach! Laugh if you like, bring a bench, bring a key— I’ll tell you of Jesus till they set me free! [Woman] He’s stuck in the stocks! [Man] Still making his case! [Both] The jailer’s gone quiet—there’s a smile on his face! [Outro] [Woman, spoken] So, what happened when they let you go? [Man, spoken] I stood up slowly. [Woman, spoken] And then? [Man, spoken] Kept preaching. [Both, shouted] Of course!
