The origin of the saying He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother is from 1918 and a boy named Howard Loomis who was abandoned by his mother at Boystown in Omaha Nebraska. Howard had polio and wore heavy braces on his legs. He had trouble going up and down stairs. The older boys carried him up and down the stairs. The priest Father Flanigan asked a boy named Reuben Granger if Howard was heavy to carry. The response was he ain't heavy, Father....he's my brother. ... It became the motto of Boys Town and there is a statue of one boy carrying another with that saying on it.
I have a slightly different take on the story but in much the same vein. Origin of the song..........In a 1918 publication by Ralph Waldo Trine titled The Higher Powers of Mind and Spirit, Trine relates the following anecdote: "Do you know that incident in connection with the little Scottish girl? She was trudging along, carrying as best she could a boy younger, but it seemed almost as big as she herself, when one remarked to her how heavy he must be for her to carry when instantly came the reply: 'He's na heavy. He's mi brither.'
@@mannypacquiao7 Well there are specific names in the Boystown edition but since there are so many people it could have happened dozens of times. The message behind it is the universal theme... it's a hard time to think we aren't quite as generous. I include myself.
That is one of the most powerful songs written. The meaning behind "brother" is our fellow human beings, no matter what creed, race or politics. The message is that life is too short and we should love one another. Great song fittingly sung by a great group.
This is the music I grew up with the best music in History songs had a great message, up lifting and all around positive, I miss this music I was so blessed to grow up with. When I hear these so especially this one I still cry and I'm 61 lol
Tears run down my face every time I hear this song. I think of my brother and how I much love him. I love him more then every know. I looked out for him starting at age 6 and now that we are in our 60's he takes care of me. Except for 5 years we have always live together and wouldn't have had it any other way.
My brother, a Viet Nam vet, killed himself a week after my daughter was born in 1982. This song took on a whole new meaning to me after that. I cry too. Thank the Lord for my beautiful daughter. She's what kept me and us going. At 39, she is one of the most giving loving people of whom judges no one. I'm so lucky. Oh, my son is pretty awesome too.
the ultimate philosophical song...!!! if this was the way humanity behaved, this world would be INCREDIBLE...!!! by the way, that is Elton John playing piano on the original studio version of this song...
I used to get emotional as a child and young teen all the way up until today as an adult (and now I cry) when I hear this song...excellent choice!!! xo
I remember the Hollies from back in the 60's when " bus stop " was a big hit for them..right up there with Manfred Mann's " Do Wah Diddy " ..both great groups and great songsyes I'm showing my age but that was an era that had great music, including motown..I love your reactions, sweetie..so pure and nothing fake about you ❤❤
I love this song. We are all brothers and sisters. This is song about love and caring during a terrible time in America. Much hate going on. The vietnam war was happening. The soldiers new about caring their fallen brothers off the battle field. They were not heavy. Shalom
Allan Clarke was one of the most overlooked and underrated vocalists of the British Invasion era. The Hollies had so, so SO many great songs. Check out "Just One Look," "Look Through Any Window," "Bus Stop," "On a Carousel," "Pay You Back with Interest," "Carrie Anne," "The Air That I Breathe"...All great songs, and some of the most fabulous four-part harmony singing you'll ever hear.
This song make me used to cry when I was a young teenager now that I have lost four brothers whenever I hear this I ball my eyes out rest in peace babies
When the words speak truth the music touches your soul. One of those masterful songs that say we are responsible for others. This one and "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
I love the Hollies and I love this song (I enjoy Neil Diamond's version as well, but the Hollies' version is the one I grew up listening to). There was so much great music in that era, and the Hollies just sounded so good in everything they did.
Sitting here drinking coffee, watching the sunrise and listening to this beautiful song. Doesn't get any better then this. Thanks for another great song and reaction. ❤ 🌞🎶☕
I have heard a song like that that makes your emotions get carried away it's this one. I said in the funeral for my 37 year old uncle with his six brothers and my mom and listen to this as a 15 year old. I can't begin to describe to you the emotion. Thanks for reacting of this God bless you
"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. In 1979, girls were allowed and the name was eventually changed to Girls And Boys Town. The logo was updated with a drawing of a girl carrying a younger girl added."
20 years after it was first released it was used as the music for a beer ad in Scotland, it went to number one on the charts. Some songs just touch us no matter the generation.
When it re released in 1988 my older brother was in hospital I was just a little kid...and this became our song. It wasn't serious but as a kid I thought it was as he was being kept in...still one of all time great songs
Such a beautiful, powerful song with a simple message that needs to be heard now by everyone who might think twice about hatred vs love. Great reaction. This song always brings a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat. 🌺✌️
The lead singer and harmonica player is Allan Clarke of Salford, near Manchester. His friend and co singer in The Hollies was Graham Nash until about 1968.
Songs with lyrics as powerful as this will carry this channel heads and shoulders above the others. Your reaction and interpretation is well thought out and cogent.
Definitely one of those songs that just grabs a hold of you and shakes you to wake you up and see those around you in need. I remember first hearing it when it came out. I was just starting high school. It still has that same effect today. Really glad you reacted to it.
I was locked up in cell block D, in Columbia SC. When this song come out. And everyday we matched up 2 guys, and they would fight till they were beat all to hell and bloody. Every day we did this. This song came out on the radio. And we all heard it. The fighting stopped then and there. It changed everybody right then.
This song was released during the Vietnam War and there was a connection to that.. and the soldiers motto: "He ain't heavy, he's my brother". Literally.
Already a cover when The Hollies performed it the first time round, they returned it to the UK charts in 1988 after it featured in a British TV advert - and got a surprise No.1. It's uplifting both metaphorically and emotionally.
This song makes me cry. I used to play around with my brother. We are 3 years 3 days apart. He died last January. I think he's listing to it with me. Miss you Sam.
Being a Former EMT & PARAMEDIC!!!! I heard this song at many funerals for BROTHER Police Officers, Firefighters, & Paramedics that have Died in the line of duty!!!! This song just REMINDS us of how Special our Friends and Family ARE!!!!! 😍
My brother died in June 2002 from leukaemia aged 46. On the way back from his funeral this song was playing on the car radio and ended up in a flood of tears. I was the older brother at the age of 50 and I kept saying to myself I should of looked after him better, but that terrible disease took him
The people are right. As long as you are going down this rabbit hole you must listen to, Bus Stop, The Air the I Breathe, and Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress). Excellent music from a very harmonious band.
Yes Love... I cry everytime I hear this song. For my reasons are only mine and the time it meant the most for someone else I truly loved who now is with Our Lord. :(
Back Home Again to this song of the soul..He ain't heavy he's my brother..she ain't heavy ..she's my sister..in this life we need each other and to really get past the petty things that don't matter..life is short and love one another..without judgment ..everyone has a story to tell..we don't need to always know. For sometimes it brings them shame..give your brother /sister a hand up and do it in the name of love..so much hate floods the world we can join the fight against that blight.ive met some of the most beautiful souls that I call my family..and it's a beautiful thing.. hopelessly eternally. Standing up for love❤️ thank you Sunshine for this song..it is message not heard enough
My father sat with me with this playing back in the day and i could tell he was worried about my brother. Without saying anything i knew he was hoping i would look after him
In 1918 at Father Flanagans Home For Boys Orphanage in Nebraska a young resident Howard Loomis who had Polio and wore braces had trouble walking, especially up and down the stairs. The older boys start carrying him on the stairs. One day Father Flanagan asked Reuben Grainger if Howard was heavy, his reply, ‘he ain’t heavy father, he’s my brother’!
Written in 1969 by Bobby Scott (music) and Bob Russell (lyrics), when Mr. Russell (1914-1970) was dying of lymphoma. Elton John was the session pianist for the Hollies' recording.
Their very very best and most powerfull.piece of music But my favourite remains The air that i breathe and whilst u are at it listen to long cool woman in a black dress, The Hollies are without doubt one of the finest Groups ever to come out of the UK their music is outstanding the lyrical content next level, they will remain one of my top5 groups of all time
I sang this acapella, graveside for a college fraternity brother, great friend, and one-time roommate when he was taken at 43 by bone cancer. Surrounded by my brothers. I've sung it a number of times over the years at my church, too. I love this song and its meaning. I'm glad you were moved, too.
This was a song that can be interpreted in many ways. When it was released, racial tensions, Vietnam war, and other stressors were high. It was a kind of peace, or brotherhood of people, song.
This is about orphans that were going to an orphanage to get care. The older brother was carrying his younger brother on his back. When he was offered help the older brother replied, "He ain't heavy, he's my brother." There is a statue that depicts that very moment.
This is from the very famous medal and statue... Of a boy carrying his brother on his back at "Boys Town." From the great state of Nebraska. The story goes...When the priest asked the boy if he is to heavy to carry around. The boy replied "No father he ain't heavy, he's my brother."
Just a small continuation from my other comment..ahhh the 60's..hermann's hermits, beatles, chad and jeremy , the animals, the stones..and so manymore..go down the 60's rabbit hole and you will definitely be shooketh by what you hear❤
Lovely reaction Jayy. You're right Alan Clarke has one of the great rock/pop voices of all time. When people think of the Hollies they often think about Graham Nash, but the true geniuses were Clarke, guitarist extrordinaire Tony Hicks and superb drummer Bobby Elliot
Another excellent choice Bright Eyes!! The song came out in 1969 and was kind of like our national anthem for a while. Everybody was playing it and everybody was saying it. I love when you do the oldies!! Keep up the good work bright eyes and I look forward to the next one
To me it's always been about unquestionably giving whatever strength you have to help your brother through life's difficulties when his own strength falters. Whether it's literally carrying him on your back on a long journey, or some other sort of caring when he's disabled or something - the point of the song is saying that whatever burden you accept to take on yourself, the weight of it doesn't matter, you'll lift whatever you're needed to life simply because he's your brother and you can't imagine NOT helping him through his journey no whatever what that make require of you. I remember some story (perhaps whatever inspired the song) about a long journey a family made on foot, the younger brother is carried by the older brother for quite a distance. When someone asks if he's tired from carrying his brother yet, the older brother just says 'He ain't heavy - he's my brother', as if that said everything.
