THE HOLLIES-"HE AIN'T HEAVY, HE'S MY BROTHER" (W/ LYRICS)

PEAKED AT #7 IN 1970. Boys Town, Inc. is an incorporated village in Nebraska with 76 family homes, a U.S. post office, fire and police departments, chapels, two schools, and a working farm. Boys Town accepts "troubled children" from across the country who are neglected or abused. Ranging in ages from 9 to 19, the program's main caveat when accepting children is that the children must want to come to Boys Town. While the founder was a Catholic priest, Boys Town holds no religious affiliation and merely encourages spiritual growth in the children. The origin of the title of the song has caused great speculation. 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 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.' " Fulkerson goes on to examine his profound regard for that statement and how it could perhaps help us to view life in a better way. 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. Tony Hicks says: "Yes, I pulled "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" out of a publishers., simply because it was a good song. I wasn't consciously looking for a different direction for The Hollies. I used to go into music publishers and I'd listen to 20-30 songs and just bring out the ones that appealed to me and play them to Ron Richards. I heard the song and I took it to Ron. There was no great excitement, nobody was saying you've really got a wonderful song there, which is going to be a world-wide smash and it will be played for years to come. They listened and went mm, yes, well it's quite pleasant. The attitude was let's give it a try and we did and it's the most important song we ever recorded" LYRICS:(B. Scott and B. Russell)

The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
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...

Category:

Music

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• 0821

[tazzbytes]

Everytime i play this i think of my only brother. he is not the same,but he is alive.And Thankful I am.Bless & Strength to all !!

[rwells47]

@tazzbytes- thanks Tony! God Bless you and your brother! Ron

[Jesterswords]

My brother was just diagnosed with Leukemia and it's a rough road. This song hits me deeply.

[rwells47]

@Jesterswords- I'm sorry for your sadness at this time. You and your brother will be in my prayers.

[honeys64]

Played this at my brothers funeral <3 this song and it still makes me cry :(

[rwells47]

@honeys64- God Bless you! Ron

[scotfab]

My brothers and I were very fortunate to have been raised at Boys Town. I was there when this song came out. It caused me to reflect on how lucky I was to have my three brothers with me through out life. I can remember reflecting on the words "there is no return" and how I'd feel about that later on. Well, it's "later on" now and I sure miss those carefree days. Here's to my brothers Ted, Russ and Damon. Love Scott

[DineshDe]

One of the greatest songs ever!

[Jesterswords]

@rwells47 Thank you.

[Jesterswords]

@DFoxHope Thank you. 

[DFoxHope]

@Jesterswords Hello Please be strong, and hold on, YOU Will get through this-Feel all you can, feel the peace, the pain the sorrow, and remember there is tomorrow..You have Faith Now more than ever, and I will & Family will Pray for you & your family~! Send me a message if you want to share anything with me? Take care Keep your Love Alive~!♥

[Poopaloo55]

Gorgeous lyrics and arrangement. Compelling history and message. Allan Clarke's soaring lead vocals...no wonder it's a classic!!!

[Jesterswords]

@rwells47 Thank you.