My wifes oldest son died just this last September. We had him cremated on what would have been his 25th birthday. He was a Marine Vet. Over 200 of his Marine brothers showed up for his celebration of life. I had this song played and there was not a dry eye in the house.
I always took "he's my brother" to mean like the brotherhood of man, regardless of race, color, creed, etc. Such a beautiful song, I cry every time I hear it.
This song was played at my brother's memorial. He spent 40 years in a wheelchair, paralyzed from the chest down but he never let it stop him from enjoying life. This was his song!
This was written about two boys living at Boys town, started and run by Father Flannigan for unwanted and orphaned boys. One of the boys had heavy metal braces on his legs, every night he struggled with the braces to get into his bunk, Father Flannigan asked one of the boys to help him, and the helper replied, if course he ain't heavy, he's my brother
*You have no idea how meaningful this song was to our young men serving in the Vietnam War in 1969. They were sent far from home, became brothers, then watched many of them lose their lives in horrible ways right in front of them at such a young age. Heartbreaking.*
That is easy to believe. I grew up in Finland and our government and public always referred to WW2 veterans as veterans. But in the veteran organisations' own communications, they didn't use the word "veterans". It was always "brothers". Today there are few left. It is my task to pass on their stories to my son.
Funfact: The Hollies first released their version of He's Not Heavy in 1969. Recorded at the world famous Abbey Road studios, the session pianist on the track was an unknown Elton John.
Back in 1981 my brother, who was 25, died unexpectantly from a stroke. As I drove to the hospital in a daze that evening, this song came on. Cried all the way to the hospital where I found out he passed. This song hits me hard.
How have you not heard this song before?? This is an iconic song about true brotherhood regardless of race, creed, colour or blood. Every man is your brother and every woman is your sister! It’s as simple as that!!
This song always brings me to tears. This song came out when my two oldest brothers were deployed to Vietnam at the same time (they were 10 and 12 years older than me). Very uncertain times in our household. Thankfully, they both returned alive and in one piece. My oldest brother passed away in 2021 of Lung Cancer due to Agent Orange exposure from his tour in Vietnam. Great song choice. Thanks for this reaction, Jamel! ✌💙✌
This is such a beautiful song and powerful message. His 'brother' or fellow man will never be too much of a burden to 'carry' and look out for. The Hollies have many hits. Takes me waaay back and makes me feel very emotional. What a voice!! Thanks for reacting to this one Jamal🧡🦋
It's about Boys Town. 2 little boys that bunked together. One has heavy braces on his legs and couldn't get in and out of bed. The Priest asked the bunk mate if he would assist him and the little boy said yes Father. He ain't Heavy he's my brother.
@@reneemallicone4770 We can interpret this song the way each of us hears it? It's rude to tell some of us that we're wrong. I don't know how old you are. Some of us were living in the 60s and have strong feelings about the war.
One of my all-time favorite songs!! We're all brothers and sisters in Jesus and we are all obliged to care for one another according to what we have to give. Check out "Shambala", by 3 Dog Night.
Me and my brother would fight constantly as little kids. My mother would break it up and make us sing this song. As we got older, in our teens, we would sing it as we were fighting! Trying to save some time.😄
Hey, MAN.....I follow your site, and was listening to this song on RU-vid today. Surprised I saw that you also shared it a year ago. I'm 73, and grew up with great music like this. 👍. We are ALL brothers & sisters ❤️❤️❤️
This is one of my all time favorite songs. If everyone lived this way the world would be an infinitely better place. Just beautiful musically and lyrically.
Love this group. The Hollies are a British pop rock group formed in 1962 & known for their great harmonies. They had so many hit songs such as "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". Neil Diamond also had a hit with this song "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother" in 1970.
Thank you for reacting to this. It is such a touching song. "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" describes a stronger person, either emotionally or physically who uncomplainingly provides support for someone, may be a brother or maybe just a friend or even an acquaintance who is finding it more difficult to make the same journey.
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.BoysTown. org.
I sang this at a family gathering where our brother was laid to rest after taking his life. The song is heavy but I can carry my brother and he doesn't weigh me down.
This song always brings my years. I'm old enough to have lived the Vietnam years and this song means more than you will ever know. Thank you for reacting to it.
Yes, mankind. One of the most profound and beautiful songs ever made. It gives you chills; for me, it’s extremely inspirational. ❤️ and ☮️. God knows our world needs it. Thank you for sharing this important song!
The Osmonds have done this song in tribute to their two eldest brothers who both have profound hearing loss. It's incredibly moving when one knows their story.
I'm really glad that I got to see your reaction to this song. I recommended this to you a year or more ago because I knew this would hit you right. I saw this song where it showed a video of multiple Soldiers, in Vietnam carrying multiple Wounded Soldiers to Safety, over their shoulders, dodging bullets, grimacing but digging in, with explosions everywhere and it brought tears to my eyes. The Hollies don't get the credit that, I believe, they deserve. Listen to some more of their Masterpieces, such as: "All I Need Is The Air That I Breathe", "A Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress. Thank you for this my friend. Cheers to you every day. Later... `
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother. The lead singer, Allan Clarke, really put his heart and soul into this song. How masculine and beautiful he is in the height of his power as a man in this video. Basically, this song's title was the motto for Boys Town, a community formed in 1917 by a Catholic priest named Father Edward Flanagan. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, it was a place where troubled or homeless boys could come for help. In 1941, Father Flanagan was looking at a magazine called The Messenger when he came across a drawing of a boy carrying a younger boy on his back, when asked if the boy he was carrying was heavy, the boy answered, with the "He ain't heavy Mr., he's my brother." I know you have brothers, and this would really touch your heart, Jamal. I lost my own brother, Mark, when he died a few years ago. He had a hard life as an adult, and it caught up with him. We were very close and I would do anything for him. I could not save him, but I tried and I was always there for him, and we had some great times together. I rushed to be by his side in the hospital, 350 miles away, as he died. I miss him so very much. I remember carrying him on my back when we were kids. A hornet flew up onto my face while I had him on my back, and the hornet stung me under my eye. I was young, I didn't realize what was happening. When I was asked why I didn't just drop my brother I said, I didn't want my little brother to get hurt, so I kept carrying him. We all need to keep carrying our brothers, to try to protect them if we can, and not let them get hurt,. The world will try to hurt our brothers, and they need us to care. "His welfare is my concern, no burden is he, to bear, We'll get there. But I'm strong Strong enough to carry him. He ain't heavy, he's my brother."
No matter what the real meaning behind this song it can relate to a lot more. No disrespect to why it was written but the lyrics can go beyond that. Carry those who need help and help those who need it. Glad you reacted to this diamond in the rough. I forgot about it myself.
Allan Clarke retired from performing in the late 90s because of some vocal cord problems and because his wife had cancer. Thankfully his wife recovered and is still alive, and Allan's voice improved and he recently recorded a new album and his pal and former bandmate Graham Nash sings with him on several songs. More Hollies: Bus Stop; The Air That I Breathe; Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress.
Have always loved this song. None of us get through this life alone. We all need each other. Beautiful song of friendship, fellowship and the brotherhood of man.
I heard this song when it first came out, & it reached something deep inside me & from that day on I have done my best to live my life to help anyone I could, it's a shame more people don't feel the same way.
the reason many people dont feel the same way is that there are many lazy people in the world who wont pull their weight,dont take responsibility for their actions,and blame everyone else,when things dont go their way
My dad and his brother grew up in an orphanage. Dad was a lot older and his brother was a bit slow. Dad took care of him. He cried every time he heard this song.
The Osmonds recorded this also, and for many years sang it to close out their concerts. They recorded it to honor their two older brothers who were hard of hearing. Their close brotherly harmonies add something to their version.
Good evening Jamel, thanks for this! I'm SOOO isolated due to my health issues, but I am blessed to have a couple of lovely friends who encourage me to hang in here. It's really gotten more difficult since it's been 37 years now, but my goal has always been to walk through this journey with as much grace and dignity as possible! I know I've been pestering you to check out Il Divo, but just have to add that in general, I'm a total classic rock lady. I love George Harrison, Pink Floyd, Ozzy Journey, Heart, Elton, Aerosmith, AC DC, KISS, Alice Cooper, and loads more! But there's nothing like going to the theater to see Phantom of the Opera, or to see Il Divo, Andrea Bocelli, etc. I'm SOOO grateful that my incredible late Mom introduced me to a wide range of artists!
@jamelakajamelonnicegram4873 good morning Jamal, I'm trying again. I have no idea what the gift is, but my hope is that you have decided to check out Il Divo, performing Nights in White Satin. The fact that Carlos died so suddenly from the Delta variant of COVID although vaccinated has broken the hearts of many millions of people! Anyway, I'm just so grateful for growing up in the era I did, and I have been exposed to so many art forms, etc. My incredible late Mom introduced me to LOTS of different music, and made sure to take me to the theater, museums, The Crocker Art Gallery here in Sacramento. We went to Nutcracker, Phantom, The Lion King, Carmen, & so much more! I hope this message gets to you, & that you saw the link to the Il Divo performance I sent you!! It would be my great honor to show my love & appreciation to my fabulous late Mom indeed! And I love the chance to introduce people to Il Divo, especially so I can also honor the phenomenal Carlos Marin!
I believe there's a statue in Boys Town, Nebraska of a boy carrying another boy with the inscription "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother;" also a quote from the movie.
This song was huge, it expressed so many people's feelings back in the hippy days. It reminds me of the people in NE Maine in my youth in the late 50s and early 60s. That's where I learned that you should do for each other, because up there any given winter could kill you. There were no snowmobiles, no cellphones, and people lived a ways off the paved roads. If you got snowed in and no one helped you, they'd find your corpsicle in the Spring. So everyone watched out for everyone else. If your house or barn burned down, that w/e there'd be a crowd of people with tools and food at your homestead, and a load or two of lumber would show up with them. Within two weeks there'd be a new structure there, and a bunch of furniture nobody else really needed, that's just how things were. Man, I miss that! If only I could still take the cold, that's where I'd be.
I feel like this is the basis of what my parents tried to instill in my siblings and I.....that we gotta support each other, because we're stronger together, and that doesn't just apply to family. ❤️❤️❤️ (They pretty well succeeded, and we're doing our best to carry on their legacy with our littles.)
Not only did we grow up in the 60's and 70's with the greatest love and romance tunes, but the songs calling for love and unity were many. Great, Great song. Love the band too.
I can't say what exactly they had in mind when composing this song, but for the past 39 years my wife and I have had our oldest daughter with multiple handicaps and profound mental retardation. For us, we understand it. She ain't heavy, she's our daughter. Difficult, sure, but in her we delight. In 2021 my older brother got news of cancer, stage 4. I tried to help care for him in his remaining days. Help my sister in law deal with the tragedy of it. And still I miss him. The care for him was not heavy. He's my brother. I agree with you. This is a message for the ages. My fellow man is not some terrible heavy burden or curse. He's my brother. Helping each other is the good privilege of life.
This song quickly became an anthem for soldiers with it's timely release. It's all about how we felt about each other at that time and still do all of these years later. Now, as each one of us passes on it feels like a part of us is torn away.
Great song...I remember gathering pictures from 9/11...of Father Mychal and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and put them on a PowerPoint presentation for a course at college. I did not need to say anything as the images appeared on the screen because I had this song play and say all there was to say. Thank you Jamel for all your efforts...best wishes from the Scottish Borders.
You comments was heartfelt. This classic is pretty deep with multiple meanings. Growing up in the 70’s when I first heard this classic what first got my attention was the title itself “He ain’t heavy he’s my brother “. I was the oldest with boy with 2 younger brothers. We was close and just had a happy childhood together growing up. We was always there for each other in good times and not so good. Sadly they both has passed on and of course every time I hear this song on the radio I do reminisce of our childhood together not with sadness, but with the joy of knowing that we will be together again. Amen 🙏🏾
He ain't heavy, he's my brother. The title came from the motto for Boys Town, a community formed in 1917 by a Catholic priest named Father Edward Flanagan. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, it was a place where troubled or homeless boys could come for help. In 1941, Father Flanagan was looking at a magazine called The Messenger when he came across a drawing of a boy carrying a younger boy on his back, with the caption, "He ain't heavy Mr., he's my brother." Father Flanagan thought the image and phrase captured the spirit of Boys Town, so he got permission and commissioned a statue of the drawing with the inscription, "He ain't heavy Father, he's my brother." The statue and phrase became the logo for Boys Town.
Very special song, remember listening to it on the radio, means a lot to a lot of people. It needs to be release and played more now then ever. Wish somebody from now would cover it. Another special song from that time "Dion Abraham, Martin and John" 1968 video is from The Smothers Brothers Show. Jamal do it if you have not done it.
"The long long road, from which there is no return", is (to me) surely an allegory for the finite cycle of life itself. Every day we move closer to death. There is no going backwards. I feel it is a message to say we have to find and give meaning to our lives, to make it worthwhile, to lend a hand to others where we can, that we can make the best of our time on Earth by helping each other carry our loads, to be there for each other in the hard times.
I lost my brother in 17',(he left 7 kids behind) 62 y.o. and my brother in law at 54y.o just 23.My husband was blasting this at 2-3 in the morning.When my brother passed,I played Boys to men and Mariah Careys One Sweet Day.Both of these songs,bring tears to my eyes,to this day!This is what music does,it touches your soul.Boys to men,It's so hard,to say goodbye to yesterday!
Jamel, I am 61 years young. My mother used to sing this to me and my little brother in the hopes we would remember to be there for each other. In the big picture, as you found, we all in this together, watch out for your brother! Thanks!
I always thought he was talking about his fellow man. When he’s down, you lift him up. Great song with a great message, no matter how you interpret it. ❤️🎶
This song came up out of nowhere today...I recall hearing it for the first time when I was around 6 years old...decades later - still sending shivers down my spine.
Graham Nash from Crosby Stills Nash and Young was in the Hollies, left to come to America and the rest is history. Elton John played piano on several Hollies recordings, including He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother in 1969.
OMG I can't imagine what you and your family have been through. Peace and blessings to all of you. God will deliver final justice for all that have been victimized. I was nearly killed over 20 years ago when a guy shot me point blank in the face, shoulder and back. Only by the grace of God was I spared. A lengthy prison term isn't justice for me. I wont feel justice until I know he is dead and standing in front of the Lord for his final judgement. RIP to your precious brother. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
This song became like the poster song for all branches of the service, I believe it was the Marine's that coined the phrase No Brother Left Behind. Both my grandpas were in the Army so was my dad, my husband was in the Navy, so was one of my brothers and I have 2 grandsons and a granddaughter in law that are Marine's. I'm so proud of all of them even the one's I don't know personally, thank you all for your service and sacrifice's.
