FIRST TIME HEARING The Hollies - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother 

Such an incredible song, and out right at the end of the turbulent 60s into the 70s. Beyond memorable. They don't have harmonies like that anymore either. Beautiful.

“He ain’t heavy, Father… he’s m’ brother.” Those iconic words have symbolized the spirit of Boys Town for decades. But many people don’t know how it originated. Back in 1918, a boy named Howard Loomis was abandoned by his mother at Father Flanagan’s Home for Boys, which had opened just a year earlier. Howard had polio and wore heavy leg braces. Walking was difficult for him, especially when he had to go up or down steps. Soon, several of the Home’s older boys were carrying Howard up and down the stairs. One day, Father Flanagan asked Reuben Granger, one of those older boys, if carrying Howard was hard. Reuben replied, “He ain’t heavy, Father… he’s m’ brother.” But the story doesn’t end there. In 1943, Father Flanagan was paging through a copy of Ideal magazine when he saw an image of an older boy carrying a younger boy on his back. The caption read, “He ain’t heavy, mister… he’s my brother.” Immediately, the priest was reminded of a photo of Reuben carrying Howard at a Boys Town picnic many years before. Father Flanagan wrote to the magazine and requested permission to use the image and quote. The magazine agreed, and Boys Town adopted them both to define its new brand. Nearly 75 years later, the motto is still the best description of what our boys and girls at Boys Town learn about the importance of caring for each other and having someone care about them. “He ain’t heavy” is relevant beyond Boys Town, though. At some point in our lives, most of us have needed to be carried by someone, metaphorically speaking. And, at some point, we probably carried somebody else. We’re human. We stumble. And we look to each other for help when we do.

So much of the 60s and 70s songs were about love and peace. I miss those years.

The Hollies was a great band with so many hits. This is another great rabbit hole to explore. Long cool woman in a black dress, the air that I breathe. Carrie Ann, bus stop. Just to name a few. Great reaction and song.

Hi Rick! Don’t worry about your tears, this ALWAYS makes me tear up! Thank you for your reaction! Peace, Love and Blessings from Australia.

This song still gets me in the "feels" every time I hear it.

This song just gets better over time 💚🎶🎵 Those harmonies and the harmonica!

my young brother 38 years old just past away a month ago and this song make me cry everytime. my brother was a special needs and i was alway defending him from those who picked up on him because they didnt understand him. i was his big brother and like a father to him he looked up to me so much. I have lost people in the past but my brother passing is the single hardest thing i have every gone through.

One of the greatest songs ever. Love, love, love. Whenever i hear this song, i also think of "The Long and Winding Road." So, so good ❤

Yes, a tear jerker for sure.

My goodness...I have watched you for a while now..and have to say that you have the biggest, purest heart and it is beautiful!

Been crying at this song for as long as I can remember. A hymn for humanity.

This has been one of my favorite songs since 1969 when The Hollies originally released it. I was 14 when it came out & it truly impacted my life.

Love the Hollies. The lead singer's voice is amazing.

Masterpiece!! Yes yes yes. Thank you for restoring my faith in humanity. ❤

Thanks for that blessing!!! And love!!

Since the day this song came out, it always made me cry.

Your tears are flowing for the river of humanity. Keep it up!!!!

Blessings to Donald! This is one I haven't heard in so long, so thanks for sharing with the family here. Peace, Love, Blessings to everyone!

Beautiful reaction. Emotional song.

Of all the different covers of this song out there,this is the ony I love the best. The Hollies are awesome.

Great song. For some reason to me, It sparks a scene of a soldier carrying a wounded brother in arms while the battle rages on

This song makes me cry too, stay safe brother.

Beautiful.

Love the reactions and your positive energy man you should definitely listen to-If ever your in my arms again by Peabo Bryson you won’t regret it

We are all brothers and sisters! Love you man!

Very very true words brother if we all lived by those words the world would be a much better place to live,great choice of song 👌

I really wish people would be kind to each other. Do one nice thing for someone every day. If we do that, it would be a lot of love. And by the way. You are my brother in Christ.

Damn. I cried with you brother.

That song came from a true story.

We need more of this in the world today ✌️

My sons dad...i lost him years ago with drugs, beautiful songs, your reaction, great, white uk here hsve just shared. Music is great

I just heard your intro, haven't gotten to the song yet, and I love you. You are so real. And true. Love that you love us all as one. Gives me chills that you SO mean this. Amen to you, brother, amen to you and your message to the world. I love it.

The Boys Town moto. Google Boys Town and Father Flannigan for the whole story behind the moto which became a moving song

A song from my teenage years (1969) brought me back. It was a time when we were seeing racial strife and war. This really resonated to the soul! BTW - I don't know what YT is doing, but I haven't been seeing your videos pop up. I heard another creator complain about this, so I looked directly on your channel. Loved the song so much!!

So great song....

Beautiful song. As a little child, I thought " heavy " meant well, heavy. Lol.

Great song

You made my eyes water, peace to you and yours!

One of the biggest hits of 1969-70 and The Hollies' biggest hit to date. The lead vocalist is Alan Clarke, who also plays harmonica. Graham Nash (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) was a founding member. Suggest you also check out Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water", which dropped around the same time, and Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is".

Thank you for your lovely reaction. I'm so glad to be part of The Family 💗💗

I thought the beautiful words you spoke in the beginning was a preview of your reaction after the song. But is wasn't, it was a beginning message from your heart. What compassionate and needed thoughts you are putting out into the world, thanks!

Enjoy the journey my friend,it’s why we are here.

Ya got a beautiful heart there bro. God bless you. ❤💪❤

I love that you enpathise with the music. You're a lovely man. ❤

Sorry to hit you with two emotional songs, but the deeper hole carved pain, the more joy it can hold (to paraphrase Gibran). Hope they leave you with a smile.

It's about helping your fellow mankind along the way in life if he/ she needs help!

Beautiful ❤

Bless you o love you

great reaction as always brother

Your reaction...you're my brother.

Bravo ❤❤

Preach brother ❤️

You’re a good man!

the osmonds do a great cover of this they have one even with marie

❤ ❤❤❤

Reaction Videos = World Peace

People have been trying to change things for some time: decades.

In Vietnam no brother was left behind.

❤

If you ever want to react to an "Original" song, no music, plain Acapella, then Please react to my Song "To Be A Better Human" 😎 Thank You

My generation went from "He ain't heavy, he's my brother" to the mess we're in now😢. Sorry America!

✌✌✌

In our times of Political division and Man made chaos what would you do for your brother? Black Label Society Jack Wylde "In this river"

🤍🤍🤍🤍

Sorry I didn't know about Donald