Lean On Me
R Kelly Mary J. Blige Bono Kirk Franklin Lyrics

Ooh
The singer expresses their readiness to discuss a sensitive issue

This is for that little child with no father
The song is dedicated to children who lack a father figure in their lives

For that man that doesn't have a place to stay
The song is also meant for homeless men who need shelter

For that little boy living with AIDS
The song is also dedicated to children living with HIV/AIDS

Can I tell you a story, tell you a story
The singer asks for permission to share a personal story

You can lean on me
The singer offers emotional support to the listener

There's a man (oh yes)
The singer describes a homeless man on the street corner

Standing on the corner
The homeless man is positioned on the side of the road

He has no home
The homeless man lacks a permanent residence

He has no food
The homeless man is hungry and unable to afford food

And his blue skies are gone (yes it is)
The man is feeling hopeless and unable to see any positivity in his situation

Can't you hear him cryin' out
The homeless man is asking for help but not always in the way one might expect

And there's a girl
The singer identifies a young girl in distress

Searching for a father and a friend
The girl is looking for a father figure and a companion

Praying that the storm someday will end
The girl is hopeful that her troubles will eventually pass

But instead of walking away
The singer encourages the audience not to abandon those in need

Open up your heart and say
The singer prompts the listener to show compassion and kindness to those in distress

I am here
The singer reassures the listener that they are present and willing to help

You don't have to worry
The singer tells the listener not to be anxious about their circumstances

I can see
The singer acknowledges the struggles of the listener

I can see your tears
The singer recognizes and empathizes with the listener's emotional pain

I'll be there in a hurry when you call
The singer promises to respond quickly to the listener's call for help

Yes I will
The singer reinforces their commitment to helping the listener

Friends are there to catch you when you fall
The singer emphasizes the importance of having supportive friends

Here's my shoulder
The singer offers their shoulder to lean on

Halleluia
The song turns to religious overtones, with a nod to God or Jesus

Oh, there's a child
The singer shifts focus to a child who is suffering from an incurable disease

Who is sick and begging to be free
The child is asking to be freed from their illness

But there is no cure for his disease
The child's illness is incurable

He looks up to his mother and
The child seeks comfort from their mother

As she hold (holds), his hand (hand)
The mother comforts her child by holding their hand

Prayin' that someday
The mother prays for the child's health to improve

The sun will shine again
The mother is hopeful that the child's life will improve and become brighter

And the pain?
The singer questions why there is pain and suffering in the world

And the pain will end
The singer hopes that the child's pain will eventually cease

Pain will end, come on
The singer urges listeners to embrace hope and stay positive

I am here
The singer reassures the listener that they are present and ready to help

You don't have to worry
The singer tells the listener not to be anxious

I can see your tears
The singer recognizes and empathizes with the listener's emotional pain

I'll be there in a hurry when you call
The singer promises to respond quickly to the listener's call for help

Alleluia
The song's religious connotations return

When you call, friends will be there to catch you when, catch you when you fall
The singer reinforces the idea that it's important to have supportive friends and community

Thank you Jesus, yeah
The singer expresses gratitude to God

Here's my shoulder
The singer offers their shoulder to the listener

You can lean on me
The singer reminds the listener that they are there to offer support

Lean on me, yeah, yeah
The singer repeats their offer for the listener to lean on them

Oooooohhh
The song ends with a final vocal expression of support to the listener