For the courage He had in speaking out, br Saying, "This is where your system fails: br It puts the law ahead of love," br He felt the nails. br br For listening to a different drummer br And choosing to follow unblazed trails br In a time and place that loved tradition, br He felt the nails. br br For loving crooked politicians, br Painted ladies, and those in jails; br For respect He showed to women and lepers, br He felt the nails.