"He Ain't Heavy" was composed by Bobby Scott and… Read Full Bio ↴Origin of the song:
"He Ain't Heavy" was composed by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. The pair had been introduced to each other by Johnny Mercer at a California nightclub. Despite the fact that Russell was dying of lymphosarcoma (cancer of the lymph nodes) and that the pair met in person only three times, they managed to turn out the song. Bob would never have given up the publishing and Bobby Scott agreed to Bob's company, Harrison Music Corp., publishing He Ain't Heavy. However, Bobby Scott waited until Bob Russell was on his death bed of Feb. 1970 and purposely never signed the papers. A courtroom drama ensued after Bob's passing.
The Hollies soon recorded the emotional ballad, featuring the piano talents of Elton John, and with lead singer Allan Clarke providing a heartfelt rendition of the lyrics. The song had been discovered by the group's guitarist Tony Hicks as a publisher's demo.
Origin of the title
In 1924, the first editor of Kiwanis Magazine, Roe Fulkerson, published a column carrying the title "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother". Dated September 1924, the article speaks of Fulkerson's inspiring encounter with "a spindly and physically weak lad" carrying a baby and "staggering towards a neighboring park".
" 'Pretty big load for such a small kid' I said as I met him. 'Why, mister,' he smiled, 'He ain't heavy; he's my brother.' "
The phrase is also associated with Father Edward J. Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town. Father Flanagan came across a line drawing in the Christmas 1941 edition of the Louis Allis Messenger, a company publication. The "Two Brothers" line drawing of a young boy carrying his brother featured on Page 44, in gold & black ink. The caption read "He ain't heavy Mister - he's m' brother!" It was created by Mr. Van B. Hooper who later became the editor of Ideals Magazine. The drawing was subsequently repeated in the first issue of Ideals in December of 1944.
He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where, who knows where
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
So on we go
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another
It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share?
And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
He's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
The Hollies' song "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" is a poignant reflection on the bonds of brotherhood and the strength of love and compassion. The opening lines convey a sense of the uncertain journey of life, with its many winding paths and unknown destinations. Yet, the singer is determined to be strong enough to carry his brother, to offer support and care through the ups and downs of life.
The next section emphasizes the singer's concern for his brother's welfare, highlighting the selflessness and sacrifice that define true brotherhood. The singer sees his brother's struggles as his own and is willing to take on whatever burdens he may face. This section also emphasizes the importance of sharing the load, of recognizing that we are all in this together and that we have a responsibility to care for one another.
The final section brings together the themes of the song, emphasizing the singer's commitment to his brother and the importance of love and compassion for all. The line "He ain't heavy, he's my brother" is repeated several times throughout the song, underscoring the central message that our bonds of love and care for one another outweigh any burden we may carry.
Overall, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" is a powerful ode to the strength of family bonds and the importance of empathy and compassion in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
The road is long
Life is a long and winding journey filled with unknowns and uncertainties.
With many a winding turn
The path we take in our lives is seldom a straight line, but rather one with many twists and turns.
That leads us to who knows where, who knows where
We may not know where we're headed, but we keep moving forward anyway.
But I'm strong
I have the ability to carry the weight of my brother's problems and concerns.
Strong enough to carry him
I am capable of shouldering the burden of my brother's troubles.
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
I don't see my brother as a burden, but rather someone I'm happy to help because of our strong bond.
So on we go
We continue down the path of life together with our shared experiences.
His welfare is of my concern
I care about my brother's well-being and want to help him in any way possible.
No burden is he to bear
I don't see helping my brother as a weight to carry, but rather a privilege and responsibility I take on willingly.
We'll get there
No matter how difficult the journey may be, my brother and I will reach our destination together.
For I know
I am confident and certain about the nature of our relationship as siblings.
He would not encumber me
My brother wouldn't want to burden me, but I still offer to help him because of our brotherly bond.
If I'm laden at all
If I'm carrying any weight or burden, it's the sadness that not everyone experiences the same love and connection I share with my brother.
I'm laden with sadness
I am weighed down by the knowledge that not everyone has the same positive relationships with their siblings.
That everyone's heart
I wish that all people could experience the joy and love that comes with close family relationships.
Isn't filled with the gladness
It's unfortunate that not everyone has the same positive family experiences and relationships.
Of love for one another
The joy and love that comes from close family relationships can't be matched by anything else in life.
It's a long, long road
Life is a long and winding journey that's full of ups and downs.
From which there is no return
We can never go back or undo the events and choices that happen over the course of our lives.
While we're on the way to there
As we travel through life, we should take the opportunity to help our loved ones and share our experiences with them.
Why not share?
We should be there for each other and share the joys and challenges of life because that's what makes it all worthwhile.
And the load
The weight of my brother's problems and concerns.
Doesn't weigh me down at all
Helping my brother doesn't feel like a burden, but rather something I'm happy to do because of our special bond.
He's my brother
Our bond as siblings is unbreakable and I will always be there for him.
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
My brother is not a burden to me, but someone I'm happy to help because of our shared love and connection.
Lyrics Ā© MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Bob Russell, Bobby Scott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dadpool
In March this year my dad got very ill with him having to go through medical tests for dementia and when he was released from the hospital he put the TV on and watching the music on TV and he ain't heavy he's my brother came on so I went home and rewrote the lyrics slightly. The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where, who knows where
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my father
ā¦ So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
ā¦ For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my father
ā¦ If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another
ā¦ It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share?
ā¦ And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my father
ā¦ He's my father
He ain't heavy, he's my father
He ain't heavy, he's my father
@ruthmccurdy8623
My late hubby was a Vietnam veteran. He would cry so hard w this song. R. I. P. Steve and all our fallen heros. šŗšøšŗšøšŗšø
@robertbusuttil7848
may GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER BLESS YOU, PROTECT YOU AND PROVIDE ALL YOUR NEEDS. AND MAY HE COMFORT YOU IN YOUR SORROW. MAY YOU SEE YOUR HUSBAND AGAIN IN THE COMING PARADISE ON EARTH WHEN JESUS COMES TO REIGN ON EARTH. FROM YOUNG ROBERT IN AUSTRALIA .
@ruthmccurdy8623
@@robertbusuttil7848 awwww too sweet Robert. Itās ok. When my husband died he ā shared ā heaven with me for about two seconds. PERFECT LOVE. PERFECT FORGIVENESS. PERFECT PEACE , and music. I know heās in a better place. Bless you and your kind kind heart ā¤ļø
@robertbusuttil7848
@@ruthmccurdy8623 you are more than welcome sister. Young Robert.
@abcxyz123
Are you really a hero when having done Vietnam?
@-ANGLO-SAXON-1
Your Husband had good taste in music š¬š§š¤š»šŗšø
@daniellucero2520
This song should be heard by all haters in 2023 . Our world needs this now.
@karylkline6442
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@ronaldoloiacono9489
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