Thank you! It has always been so obvious to me what this song was about. Humanity and kindness. Share the burdens of others, and the weight of life is not so heavy.
The Beatles can't touch this group. John Lennon felt nudged by them, which he should have. They had 20+ chart toppers in a decade or two, at least rwo #1s. They were definitely underrated. Their musicians, lead guitarists, and drummer were tops, their harmony renown, as well, of course, the fabulous lead singer.
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.”
Some years ago, my family and I visited Boy's Town on the day before Thanksgiving. We attended a service in the church along with all the kids in attendance as well. A few of them got up to the front and told what they were thankful for. It was very moving. They do really good work there. Thanks for the info on the names of the boys. I think it's a great story.
I don’t get it. What is difficult about these lyrics. The apparent burden of helping someone on life’s journey is not really a burden. It is not heavy because we are brothers. When this record was released nobody had a problem with this. Perhaps the flower generation really lost the battle.
"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 brother." The song is a tribute to brotherly love.
This song was also adopted by those referring to fellow soldiers supporting and "carrying" their fallen or injured comrades. We played this at my brother's funeral as all his siblings carried his coffin to the hearse. It's a pretty emotional song.
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. Graham Nash was a founding member of the Hollies with Alan Clark in the early 60's. Graham left 1968 to form Crosby Stills and Nash. This was recorded in 1969.
Love this group. The Hollies are a British pop rock group formed in 1962 & known for their great harmonies. They had so many great songs such as "The Air That I Breathe", "Bus Stop", "Stop Stop Stop", "On A Carousel", "Carrie Anne", "Just One Look", "Here I Go Again", "Look Through Any Window", "King Midas In Reverse", "Jennifer Eccles", "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress" etc. "Graham Nash" was originally in this group & left in 1968 to form "Crosby, Stills & Nash".
I was born in Jan. 1957 and it was a wonderful time to be growing up in.There was so much great music being played on the radio too.I remember going to shop with my Mother and we be singing all those popular songs of the day.I actually have such a fond memory of singing “Downtown “ by Petula Clark with my Mom on the way to town in the old Blue Oldsmobile, we had at the time.
Me too, All those great bands and artists we heard in out teenage years, I am sure many can still sing along or sing a a part of them. Im 73 and still i can sing whole somngs from these era, but happily no one have to listen :)
During the Depression there lots of homeless children and Father Flannery took in many for his Boys Town. One boy had his little brother on his back, when asked the boy said, “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.”
Everyone's your brother - everyone's your sister - we're all traveling the same path and need to help each other along it. The end goal - eternal bliss, whether you call that heaven or something else. Beautiful song and beautiful sentiment. Love & Peace all.
What a beautiful song! I can never hear this without feeling emotional. It has always meant to me, that we need to care for each other and help each other through the difficult times. 💗
In the 6th staza, he sings, "But I am strong; strong enough to carry him". I've heard this song for years, but this is the first time I actually listened to the words. Thank you for reacting to this song.
One of the great groups of the 60’s and 70’s that I grew up listening to. This is one the the great tunes. If you like the Hollies Michael try their song “Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress”. This is one great group. Thx
hi michael, hope you're good. the singer is alan clark and he still sounds as good, although he has retired. they aren't brothers but have known each other for years. one of the original hollies was graham nash who left them and became the nash in crosby stills and nash. then you have tony hicks, gorgeous man, bobby elliott, peter howarth and terry sylvester who replaced graham nash. they formed in manchester in 1962 and are still playing today, but i believe the only two originals are tony hicks and bobby elliott. you should try the air that i breath, gasoline alley or bus stop. loved the reaction, it's so cool when you have a great reaction to these songs. still the best my man.
The Osmonds have covered this song regularly live. The song is based on a story from Boys Town, as a boy carried his younger brother on his back to Boys Town.
Helping to carry other human beings through life. Not necessarily blood brothers. Brother in arms. Your friends. Help them by carrying the load they may struggle with
Halfway down the page I found someone who gets it. The song is the most haunting & beautiful metaphor for humanity ever made (Allan Clark the lead singer plays the harmonica too). The “road” is life and the brother is the brotherhood of man to which we all belong. It’s saying we need to care about each other & helping ease others when needed should never be a burden as we’re all in it together and everyone will need compassion, understanding and love at some point, including ourselves, to make it through. It would be a much better world if more people simply chose to live their life that way. Be kind, don’t judge, if you can help do. It’s not a burden when shared. I think everyone should be exposed to this song, this version, no remake. His voice & emotion are part of what makes the message so powerful and haunting (you will now hear this song in your head at random times forever & will feel better every time you do, I consider it my reminder to be kind, give what I can where it’s most needed, etc.). During Covid I wish more of the world had heard this song but remember many front line workers mentioning it as a reminder to keep going, keeping helping through the worst times. Enjoy more Hollies, they had a lot of rocking hits too (Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress, Bus Stop) & 1 other incredibly beautiful hit, The Air That I Breathe. PS All the bands then where wearing suits, it was part of the Mod movement in Britain. People think it was The Beatles because they broke in the US first but they weren’t the most popular in England at the time, just had a better manager. The Who was the top band, with The Hollies in 2nd and The Beatles 3rd when their manager got them to the US first.
I believe the lyrics are more about the long road of life that we all face, and in our travels down that road, we should help out our fellow man, as we're all brothers (and sisters)
Younger people are so literal in their understanding of songs nowadays. The poetry and development of ideals and community -- these bigger messages get lost in them trying to relate it to specific things. The desire to help others was such a big part of the counter cullture revolution of the 60s and 70s, and not wanting people to go to war, and where we tried to help others as well as ourselves -- it's sad they haven't had a similar experience to take things to a deeper level in understanding these songs. I guess that's why great songs are not written in such quantity anymore.
This singer (Allan Clarke) is one of the best singers in rock history. The lyrics aren't really 60's slang - they are just a plea to help your "brother" (neighbor, friend, brother, etc) One of the reasons the background vocals sound so good is that Graham Nash is in this group prior to leaving to form Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. You can hear him in the background and it sounds fantastic. "The Air That I Breathe" is a must!
Their rock song "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress" has an iconic opening riff. "The Air That I Breathe" is a beautiful ballad. You should react to both.
The title came from the motto for Boys Town, a community formed for the care of troubled and homeless boys in Omaha, Nebraska in 1917 by Father Flanagan, a Catholic priest. Father Flanagan had seen a picture in a magazine of a boy carrying a younger boy with braces on his legs and the picture was captioned, “He ain’t heavy Mister, he’s my brother.” The priest thought that this fit the spirit of Boys Town perfectly so he adopted it as their motto. Most of us over 70 will remember seeing the picture in ads for Boys Town, as it was supported by charitable donations. This song was written in that same spirit. They had a ton of hits in the 60s and you really need to check out The Air That I Breathe, one of the prettiest songs ever written, then check out Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress for one of their more rocking tunes. Both are great.
One of my favorite songs and performances of all times. In 1979 we drove my father home for the last time from the hospital to die at home and this song came on. I remember driving and sobbing my heart out at the same time. Weirdly, it helped me to get through it.
They were at the same time as the Beatles in England and have had hits from 1964 well into the 70s. They were one of the best British Invasion bands and this was an unexpected later hit for them.
Boys Town is an old movie with Spencer Tracy as Father Flanagan and Mickey Rooney as one of the orphans. Nice little heartfelt story of helping troubled youngsters.
I recall a picture/poster of a soldier carrying a wounded soldier on his back away from the line of fire while this song played. He ain't heavy became a sort of catchphrase during the Vietnam war.
The Hollies are a British band from Lancashire who were based in Manchester in their early days. They replaced The Beatles at The Cavern Club then followed them down to London to sign for the same Parlophone label. From 1963 onwards they chalked up more than twenty-five top 20 chart hits, including two number ones - this song and I'm Alive. They still play large theatres like The London Palladium today with two members left from the long time line up. Lead vocalist, Allan Clarke retired from the band in 1999.
I didn't know the Hollies recorded this song. The only version I heard was done by The Osmond Brothers (Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay). Many times they would close their concerts with this song, and during their 60+ years in show business, they would still perform this song, joined by their brothers, Donny and Jimmy and their sister, Marie, (such as during their 50 Years Celebration). concert.
The song comes from a story long ago in Boystown. A crrippled orphan boy in that school had trouble getting around. Some older boys began to carry him up and down the stairs to classes. One day, the school principal, a Father Flannigan asked one of the boys carrying the cripple if doing so was difficult. The boy replied, "No, Father. He ain't heavy, he's my brother."
The Hollies was one of the groups to come out of England during the British Invasion. Graham Nash was a member until 1969 before joining Stephen Stills and David Crosby to form Crosby Stills and Nash. The Hollies named their band in honor or rock a billy pioneer Buddy Holly.
You are right they are part of the British Invasion around the same time. Love the Hollies, you have great taste.✌ The History of He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother | by Nichola ... The legend goes that around 1918, the orphanage's founder, Father Edward Flanagan, saw a boy, Reuban Granger, carrying another boy, Howard Loomis, who had polio and wore leg braces, up some stairs. Flanagan asked Granger if carrying Loomis was hard. The boy replied, “He ain't heavy, Father, he's m' brother.”✌
If you have a brother you really love, this song is special. My brother and i have been through so much together and we would do anything for each other. I absolutely love this song and the words , always makes me smile to know i have a amazing brother .
I have always loved this song. It often makes me think of soldiers. It also came to my mind at my brother-in-law's funeral when his brother and brothers-in-laws were carrying his casket. ❤️
I never saw this performance of the song b4. Didn't know it went back to the B/W days. You should check out the color version from the 60s - - where he is decked out like a Rock God. With Full Afro! definitely a must see. U won't believe it's the same guy.
My 12-year-old son & I watched this together and when the song was over I asked him what he thought the song was about and he immediately said "it's about people helping each other & caring about each other." He fully got the songs meaning and yet so many adults fail to get it and I can't understand that.
These are one of the most underrated bands ever. They were amazing! The lead vocalist Allan Clarke was outstanding, their drummer Bobby Elliott, lead guitarist Tony Hicks....all overlooked because the fake media pushed narratives and others!
For some, these guys were the 'other Beatles', but they never exploited that label like some bands try to do. It seems like every band that ever tried to proclaim their 'Beatleness' suffer a blowback from fans and ultimately lose their base. The Knack being a good example of this.These guys just carried on and produced many hits. My favorite is 'The Air That I Breathe'. It reminds me of a girl I knew back then.
The Hollies are an awesome band. They had a long career, with their style evolving as they went. I heard them through my youth and young adulthood but never realized that it was the same band singing He Ain't Heavy, Bus Stop, Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress, The Air That I Breathe, Carrie Anne, On a Carousel, and their cover of Stay. Elton John got his start with the Hollies too, playing on some of their studio recordings.
This song was also used during the Viet Nam war. This song always make my husband sad. At nineteen he was in Viet Nam fighting a war with ppl he didn’t know. We, as blacks were here in our own country fighting for our rights as Americans but not looked upon as having any rights due to the color of our skin. SAD!! Beautiful lyrics!
They are being more magnanimous than simple genetics. It was the '60s, after all, and not today. They were saying that we are all brothers and sisters, and we can help every single person on Earth, and not be weighed down by it, or thwarted from helping more. We can help all emigrants at the borders. Everyone. We are as gods. But that was then. We have since diminished considerably.
"Never heard the band or song". To me, born in mid 50s this sounds like a joke. How I love the thoughts and feels this melody still brings to my mind. When I listen to this song I can live again few minutes in my youth.
it's about boys town and orphanage in Nebraska that father flanagan started 100 years ago. the statue outside the orphanage is 2 boys one standing on top if the other shoulders with the comment below. he aint heavy he's my brother. that's what inspired the hollies to write and sing this song.
Great reaction Michael, and thank you to the coolest chick, Cynthia. Michael, this group was underrated, but they have such great harmonization, emotion, and some of the best voices in rock and roll history. They were a big part of the ‘60’s British Invasion.
... to put this song and it's lyrics in perspective, I once saw this song with a video of Soldiers in Vietnam Carrying Wounded soldiers over their Shoulders to safety, dodging bullets, explosions going off all around them and suddenly... It All Made Sense. This is what we Hippies were all about! Peace. Reply
One backstory for the song is that it was based on a well-known photo from Vietnam in which an American soldier is carrying an injured or sick Vietnamese man over his shoulder. When asked how far he had to carry him, the soldier said . . .
I loved this song when it came out in the late 60's--I still do. All are my brothers-- We should help to bear each other's burdens-- It's a hard and winding road, this life.
The Hollies were huge in that era. Graham Nash was also a singer in this band before he went to Crosby Stills Nash and Young. I do believe the song is about racial tensions, treat every man like he's your brother. Today young people look down their noses at old songs especially from the 60s and 70s but there were a lot of really beautiful voices that emerge from '65 to '75.
Hey dude I got one for ya....there's a 90's group named "Cake" and they have 2 songs you might like. One is called "Never there" and the other is called "The Distance". Try them out
It's not 60s slang. If some thing is heavy, it's a hard load to carry due to the weight. Weight can mean physical weight but it can also mean burden. His brother isn't heavy; he's not a burden. He's not talking about physically carrying his brother on his back.
For something a little lighter and brighter from the Hollies, still with their classic harmonies, try "BUS STOP" ... SPOILER from the Mona Lisa Twins ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qefoXFsUZNE.html
C'mon - how can you not know what this song is about? The road that he's on is life. The person he's singing about is anyone who's not doing well in their life at this particular moment - maybe it's a homeless person or something like that, whatever this person's problem the singer is saying, "I have the strength (financially or otherwise) to help this person who needs help. The way he uses the word "heavy" in the lyrics tells you what it means. "He Ain't Heavy" means "he's not a burden." "He's my brother" because all people are brothers and sisters. Listen to the lyrics. 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 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 And no, the Hollies were not a band made up of literal brothers. They were a British Invasion band who came to the U.S. on the coattails of the Beatles. The Beatles arrived in the U.S. in 1966 - the Hollies arrived in '65 with the songs like Bus Stop and Carrie-Ann. This song came out in '69.
