🎵 The Hollies - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother REACTION

[@americanaforever6725]

The song is about caring for and helping our fellow man, no matter what his problems are ( the load ) it's never too heavy for any of us to help carry, we're all brothers and sisters

[@zellah]

Thank you! yes, it’s “his” weight!

[@Derideo]

No, it's about freedom. He's my brother because he won't "encumber" me. Look it up.

[@darecky8957]

@@Derideo it’s about whatever you want it to be

[@joegillam1497]

Yes, exactly. This is the definitive explanation.

[@hodgod1056]

My interpretation is that whatever troubles your brother is carrying, you'll be there to help - not a burden.

[@clifton8929]

Black, White, Brown, we're all brothers/sisters. We should take care of each other. People have problems, we should help our brothers, no problem or situation in too much or heavy to carry if we care. That's what the song is about.

[@gaillouise8310]

Part of the hippie philosophy, we take care or each because we're all brothers and sisters. Used during the Vietnam War in particular where you would carry your wounded brother to safety even risking your own life!

[@Derideo]

No, it's about freedom. He's my brother because he won't "encumber" me.

[@barryevans791]

@@Derideo "love for one another" it's literally about helping someone out because he's a brother and no burden is too heavy to carry for him, as in going out of your way to help someone out. You can't just take one lyric and forget about the rest of the song.

[@mikemaricle9941]

@@Derideo Wrong

[@ericynot]

@@barryevans791 Well put, Barry. I'm from that era, and that's exactly what the song was saying. I'm surprised it seemed so hard to understand for Brad and Lex, but I guess this is a good illustration of how language nuances change over time.

[@ocularnervosa]

He ain't heavy came from a speech by a preacher who was talking about a girl who carried her disabled brother. When asked about her "burden" she replied "He ain't heavy, he's my brother". The idea is that we should all carry each other in times of trouble and that's what the song is about.

[@Derideo]

Nope, It's about not hindering other people's freedom. He's my brother because he won't "encumber" me. It's right there in the lyrics.

[@dene39]

@@Derideo yep, hes correct actually. Iknew there was a specific reason behind the song. He got it

[@mikemaricle9941]

@@Derideo Wrong

[@johnduffield4450]

No the song is about his older brother Nigel who was overweight and he used to carry him to the shops when they lived in London.

[@helgar791]

@@johnduffield4450 All wrong. This song came from an experience by Father Flanagan at Boy's Town. The boy was given to Boy's Town, and was disabled. The boys of the orphanage would occasionally take turns carrying the boy around, and one day Flanagan questioned why the boy was carrying such a heavy load around. The boy then responded with this great line, "He ain't heavy (father), he's my brother". For many years there was a statue outside of Boy's Town which depicted the young lad carrying the disabled boy with a plaque beneath the statue bearing these words. Watch the film "Boy's Town" with Spencer Tracey and you'll get an idea.

[@mrjoepad1]

Heavy means he is not a burden to him. He will carry him because he is his brother.

[@ivylasangrienta6093]

Yes exactly. People speak of a heavy burden and he's just saying that his brother (or whoever) isn't that.

[@aprilecotton2060]

Ah, I thought he meant fat

[@swartetc]

How do they not know that?

[@Derideo]

At the time a "heavy" was an authoritarian. Yes, it's about freedom. He's my brother because he won't "encumber" me. That is what makes him not "heavy". It's right there in the lyrics.

[@jeremybullwinkle3972]

Well said ✌️

[@realbser1956]

It’s the motto for Boy’s Town in Nebraska, a place for troubled boys. Funny when Brad tells Lex not to take the lyrics too literally 🤣

[@warbaby5490]

When an orphan literally carried his younger brother to Father Flanagan for help. He said these words!

[@saintdon4461]

@@warbaby5490 its from an old scottish book written in 1884 the parables of jesus

[@mazza4190]

@@saintdon4461 The first thought that came to my mind.

[@LordEagle]

Brad throws a curve ball,,,,🤪🤪🤪💥

[@warbaby5490]

@@saintdon4461 This was the depiction on a Christmas seal for "Boys Town" starting back in the 1930's. My grandmother made sure her Christmas cards always bore the stamp!

[@daveowens9849]

Every veteran, no matter the branch, knows what this song means. When you've carried the dead and wounded, and hear this song....it hits hard. All honors to my Vietnam brothers. RIP Dallas Owens.

[@stephenlutz3907]

Well said. Deepest respect and gratitude for your service, and condolences to those whose loved ones did not return among the living.

[@truthteller1246]

Sending best wishes from England.. Respect to you

[@davidjones6389]

AIRBORNE!

[@dannycasson1551]

This song is an impassioned call to love others as we love ourselves. To help those in need without passing judgment on them because of who or what they are. A timeless message that is sorely needed in this day and age. Unconditional Love.

[@Derideo]

Not everyone is your brother, just those who don't "encumber" you. That is what the lyrics say. Very conditional actually.

[@GinaGeeILuvu]

This is a classic! I just started crying because I was remembering my brother who died of cancer in 2017! He means he is not a burden and he can count on him when he needs help! It’s like, “Am I my brother’s keeper, yes I am”! ❤️❤️

[@xenxike500]

Such a beautiful song with such deep meaning.My second brother died of cancer in 2019, played this at his funeral.After my first brother died we always made plans to go places and do things, we never did,now I’m the only sibling left with an elderly mumma that is very unwell.Im still going to venture out when I’m by myself one day and do the things we never did.❤❤❤😢

[@richard_n]

The Hollies had the misfortune of being overshadowed by the Beatles their entire run. I honestly feel they are one of the top 20 bands of all time. So many great songs.

[@fishboy91]

The lyrics can help: The road is long With a 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 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 He ain't heavy, he's my brother

[@sylviaricardes9251]

Thank you

[@leonardshevlin7260]

Notice that he botched the lyric in this performance.

[@tomfagrell7357]

How can anyone have trouble interpreting this song? It’s super straight forward. ”He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother” is like a level 1 metaphor. I have never been this frustrated with you guys …

[@brooksboyd1959]

Brad over thinks everything! Just listen to the fucking music man and dig the vibe!!

[@rickdillenbeck7397]

I don’t think these two are qualified for this task, too limited in their knowledge and thinking

[@masondixon7248]

Dude, it's not that obvious to the young folk. Give em a break

[@mdanam]

Sometimes I forget how young you two are. This is not about an individual, this is about all of humanity caring for each other. When he says He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother, he's talking about every other human being on Earth.

[@kathleenarchacki7875]

Agree

[@TheOriginalRick]

Sometimes I just have to wonder how my grandparents saw me and my siblings back about 40 or 50 years ago. 😁😁

[@marlecmarine5393]

He is singing about the brotherhood of mankind, having love and support for each other on the long road of life that can be tough. The welfare of anyone one should be all our concern and not viewed as a burden. I am amazed you did not get this. l though it was obvious from the tone and lyrics of this song, usually you are both insightful, obviously an off day....lol

[@Derideo]

It's about freedom. He's my brother because he won't "encumber" me. Look it up.

[@fishboy91]

@@Derideo I think these two lines from the song tell it all : His welfare is of my concern No burden is he to bear

[@mikemaricle9941]

@@Derideo Wrong

[@Derideo]

@@fishboy91 and the very next line says, "for I know he would not encumber me" which clearly explains why his welfare is my concern and not a burden. Clearly.

[@Derideo]

@@mikemaricle9941 I'm not wrong, Heavy was slang for heavy handed authoritarian.

[@neillenet291]

They have so many great songs, another beautiful song by them is "the air that I breathe."

[@brettkenschaft4239]

They actually did that one already.

[@rebeccalipps8007]

That is my favorite Hollies song!

[@seanmcintyre3193]

Also long cool woman

[@AdiSneakerFreak]

Basically saying he’ll always be there for his brother no matter what happens.

[@kennbicknell5492]

*It is about caring and compassion. Although not written about the war, you can't imagine how much this song meant to our young men fighting in Vietnam when it came out in 1969. They were teenagers and early 20s, and watched their friends and "brothers" die right in front of them. It is a VERY heartwrenching song for many people.*

[@dianalash7408]

THANK YOU FINALLY SOMEONE GOT IT RIGHT

[@LindaEll]

I believe this song was meaningful to the troops in Vietnam. That was this era.

[@mikeperkins3469]

The troops in Vietnam were killers. It's not about killers helping killer's...just the opposite. It's humanity helping humans. The military bastersized the song.

[@readhistory2023]

@@mikeperkins3469 Go back to your soy Latte. You're not fit to shine their shoes son.

[@cindybrasier9312]

Exactly what I committed

[@robertzimmerman3980]

It sure was !

[@daCATgraphics]

That drumming was excellent. Such a talented band. Love the harmonies. Live... I challenge any modern band to be that good

[@thomastimlin1724]

especially the harmony and the writing.

[@cjjenson8212]

Hahaha, hahaha snort! That was a good one👍!

[@hockemeyer1]

Its about helping each other with our burdens in life. 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. Not all art is artsy, much of it, especially in the 60s and 70s is about people. Vietnam was happening when this song came out. The Civil rights movement was happening when this song came out. I've been listening to this song since is came out in the 1969 when I was in the Navy. On the battlefield its carrying a wounded brother to safety. In civilian life its about being a crutch for someone while they are struggling to get on their feet, like a friend chained to addiction, always having in thought the idea that you can be the next to need a helping hand.

[@mikemaricle9941]

The Story Behind “He Ain’t Heavy…” June 9th, 2017 By Father Steven Boes | President and National Executive Director of Boys Town Boys Town History, Village of Boys Town ​“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. #HeAintHeavy from Boys Town on Vimeo.

[@dene39]

Nice one

[@bh9225]

Wonderful reply. I learned a lot from you.

[@donnatellie]

That's what it is and I love it. A brother is very special. Eventhough there are other 'brothers "... the real brother does it for me. The brother in arms and the fellowman (or a sister) works for me as well. There is something in this song for everybody. But this song especially is meant for my own brother (that special bond, you can't ignore). ❤

[@garyhead1561]

To what Lex said at the end; It resonated with a lot of people during the Vietnam War. It's always been one of those Fortunate Son kind of songs that's synonymous with the times.

[@jeffreyjohnson7359]

They killed that song live! One of my favorite lyrics. It's not a burden to help our fellow man and woman, because we're all brothers and sisters.

[@Cadinho93]

You guys should react to more of The Hollies… "Bus Stop", "Stop Stop Stop", "On a Carousel", "Carrie Anne", "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress", "I'm Alive", "Look Through Any Window" 🎸🤘

[@surlechapeau]

Brad & Lex, you’ll love their "Carrie Anne" and “Bus Stop”!!!

[@brettkenschaft4239]

They actually did Long Cool Woman already.

[@surlechapeau]

@@brettkenschaft4239 must have been taken down, not found. post a link

[@brettkenschaft4239]

@@surlechapeau Weird. That's at least the 2nd video of theirs recently that is gone now. I definitely remember them doing that one though.

[@surlechapeau]

@@brettkenschaft4239 120 songs a month, they don't even remember :) . I didn't recommend it after the prior Hollies song, so you are correct.

[@jflaugher]

The term "heavy" means burden. "He ain't heavy" means "he's not a burden." The song is about having compassion and helping people who are down on their luck. Like a homeless man that you may pass by every day isn't heavy, he's your brother or sister. So help him out.

[@CB-gr1uk]

In my top 5 favorite songs. What a beautiful song. It is about helping your fellow man! Caring for people. Your problem is never to heavy, your load is never to heavy for my help. We need that now, more than ever.

[@Derideo]

He's my brother because he won't "encumber" me. It's about freedom, and yes we need more of that now more than ever.

[@mikemaricle9941]

@@Derideo Wrong

[@donnastephenson4540]

Haven't heard this in years and it's just brought me to tears. To me it means It doesn't matter what your troubles are I'm here to help.

[@melaniesweeten5401]

Beautiful song with an uplifting message. Always gives me chills.

[@martinleahy5347]

It's a deeply felt song ( almost an anthem), about solidarity ,love and support for all of humankind written at a time when the civil rights movement had a strong influence on pop and youth culture. Anti war ,pro peace,free love,dropping out of the "rat race",setting up alternative communities to the mainstream,women's liberation movement,anti nuclear,vegetarianism, Hari Krishna,peace and love hippie philosophy, rejection of materialism,were all melding together into a massive counterculture movement in the USA, Europe, UK,with most of the world feeling it's influence ( even in Soviet Russia there were young people dropping out in an attempt to live lives uninhibited by the structures and limitations of ultra conservative corrupt orthodoxies.A song from the late sixties and very early seventies when revolutionary "youth culture" started out hopeful and idealistic but ended up being absorbed into a mainstream commercialism of synthetic ,glam,cheap fashion,huge stadium rock bands consolidated by Pop Charts, and tacky colour tv programmes watched by millions allover the globe, mesmerized by the flashy superficial allure of the likes of "Starsky and Hutch" and "Charlie's Angels"etc and much more similar frothy fluff. However the deeply felt humanistic messages in "The Hollies" beautifully crafted tunes still feel as relevant as ever and never fail to inspire that eternal aspiration for human love empathy and understanding

[@denniswoloch5757]

Boys Town In 1918, Reuben Granger, an older boy at Father Flanagan's Home for Boys, carried Howard Loomis, a boy with polio, up and down the stairs. When Father Flanagan asked Reuben if carrying Howard was difficult, Reuben replied, “He ain't heavy, Father… he's m' brother”. The phrase has become iconic and symbolizes the spirit of Boys Town.

[@LarryNtx]

the long and winding road is a metaphor for life. He ain't heavy he's my brother. Give your fellow man a helping hand along the way.

[@PanglossDr]

Carry = support. No matter what problems his brother has he will help, support, carry him.

[@sandyhogue7626]

You're overthinking this. If someone tells you something alarming or thought-provoking, you would say, "Wow, that's heavy man." Each person with their own personal "baggage" carries a heavy load of angst, guilt and worry, and the song is saying we should help each other tote that load because we're all brothers, and because we're all brothers, it's no hardship to "help a brother out."

[@jennyjenny4501]

Congratulations, Brad and Lex! You two will be the coolest parents on the planet!! 💙💗

[@marcmarcello981]

The dumbest if you ask me.

[@brianrowe236]

Nearly every time I hear a song from the 60s it brings back a memory. Not necessarily an emotional memory - often just someone I knew, a place, an object, an event. It's hard to explain but often it opens a window to a brief moment in my life which I would have forgotten all about if it wasn't for the song. I'm sure I can't be the only one. What an era to live through!

[@tonywardle4764]

I can't listen to this song without a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye!

[@geoffsimpkins7650]

So interesting how quickly language changes. The meaning of this song was very obvious to us in the day. Very deep song for us.

[@mikemaricle9941]

Helping others is not a burden, he ain't heavy, he's my brother, we're all brothers & sisters.

[@commonsense1383]

Other commenters have explained what the song means, but I'm from a military family. So this song has two meanings: in boot camps, you learn that to survive, you all bond together and become "brothers." In the military, there's a saying, "No man left behind" . . . meaning when someone is seriously wounded/KIA'd, you don't leave him, you carry him back to base camp. And in that respect, it's a little more literal. All gave some, some gave ALL. *tears*

[@gnasher67uk]

He ain't heavy, he's not a burden, he's not a heavy load. He's my brother. The family of man. We're all in this together. A burden shared, is a burden halved.

[@SuperDaveSo]

This was used in a great anti-drug PSA in Canada back in the 80's. It's incredible how what you take away from a song can change with time. As I near 46, and I now have less time ahead of me than has already passed in my life a lot of the songs I grew up with from my parents have taken on different meaning for me. This song now pulls a few tears out of me every time I hear it.

[@randytorres8211]

Per a internet search, “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother” was written by old-school musicians Bob Russell (1914-1970) and Bobby Scott (1937-1990). In fact Mr. Russell wrote the lyrics while simultaneously suffering from cancer. And it was the last hit he ever wrote, as he died less than six months after its release. 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.

[@leighsaldivar4439]

It’s about collectively taking care of each other’s burdens and caring for each other. Taking one’s problems on to help him. We are all brothers and sisters. Gods children. ❤

[@sopdox]

I live in NYC. We had a radio station that played this song every time a firefighter lost his life in the line of duty, including my friend’s husband.

[@andrewcormier529]

Thanks for the good cry guys ..I lost 2 brother 3 weeks apart my brother Mike we believe was murdered he was an LA county coroner and he was always with my brother Gary who was dying of cancer ..this song was used in their memorial tape gary died first and mike very talanted was going to fly back from cali to maine and my other brothers we were going to sing at garys as brothers but as fate had it we buried mike the same day breaks my heart everytime ..we still have no answers to Mike's death alot of odd things took place after his death within the corners office...Great song great band many hits my brother Mike favorite band he loved these guys on a carousel he use to sing in his band back in mid sixties great reaction keep spreading the music around God-bless guys it means we family we blood and we need to help everyone out when in need ..we all related on this earth.

[@blackenreed1425]

Take it literally, Brad. In a while Lex'll be saying "it ain't heavy, it's my baby!" (substitute he or she as necessary). Congratulations to the two of you. [Actually, she just as like to curse and complain.]

[@russellmorgan5611]

I like that. You took it from a metaphor to stark reality. Well said.

[@KEvronista]

the line comes from a old b&w movie, _boystown._ the padre (spencer tracy) sees a young man carrying a younger boy in his arms, and asks "isn't he heavy?" "he ain't heavy, father. he's my brother." it's a funny line and a beautiful line. when it's someone you love, it's not a burden. KEvron

[@wnsafford1854]

The saying (with minor differences) traces to an 1884 book, The Parables of Jesus, in which a little girl is carrying a big baby. Asked if she was tired, she said (basically), "He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother." Fr. Flanagan, of Boys Town, recalled 1st hearing it in 1918, when some boys took to carrying Howard Loomis, who had polio & wore heavy leg braces. Fr. asked if carrying Howard was hard & 1 boy, Reuben Granger, replied with the saying. In the early 1940s, Fr. Flanagan saw a photo in a magazine, of a boy carrying another on his back, with the "He ain't heavy" etc. caption. He got permission to use the image & saying, which Boys Town (now Boys & Girls Town) has used ever since. Boys Town used to heavily advertise in magazines (for donations), so long before the song, "everybody" knew the image & saying, from the Boys Town ads.

[@mellisa212]

When a friend needs help , you be there. That’s what this songs means. You share there struggles if you can help. YOU DO IT.

[@kevinohagan180]

This song is about soldiers during the Veitnam War supporting each other from what I remember when this song came out! Looking out for your buddy on the Battlefield!

[@dougwill8850]

From I read it was about a young girl that a reporter saw carrying her brother from some sort of tragedy (maybe Vietnam) he asked her if she was ok carrying him and she replied " he ain't heavy he's my brother. This is what I read, is it true I do not now. Could mean a lot of things for sure.

[@kevinohagan180]

@@dougwill8850 Okay Doug, you could be right. My memory about it Is over 40 plus years ago. I could have been wrong about it. 🙂

[@tintown1349]

@@dougwill8850 I remember the song writer saying in an interview that he was in New York And he saw a guy carrying a Vietnam Vet who had been badly injured in the war And asked the guy the question “isn’t he heavy” and he replied " he ain't heavy he's my brother. But this is at the very edge of my memory, could be wrong

[@Derideo]

It's about freedom. He's my brother because he won't "encumber" me. It's right there in the lyrics.

[@kevinohagan180]

@@Derideo It's carrying a wounded soldier off the Battlefield. "He's Not Heavy, He's My Brother!" I will carry you off the Battlefield and your weight won't incumber me.

[@jenniferjacobs228]

Such a lot of meaning to this song, from the Vietnam era, the brotherhood of soldiers looking out for each other, the brotherhood of man etc. or it can just be about your own brother... heavy just means heavy times, whatever they are.

[@woodfella2000]

not heavy = not a burden

[@jesseSylvie]

The saying originated when a young boy and sleeping sibling, (That walked and hitch-hiked from New York) finally arriving at Boys Town (In Nebraska) answered the priest when the priest asked could he help him. The kid answered, "He aint heavy Fatha, he's my brother!" It became the logo for Boy's Town.

[@drmauriciodiaz]

Ive had the privilege of shaking the hand of Terry Sylvester, the vocalist, a few years back here in local festival in Mississauga, Ontario…. Because he loves here!

[@Orange-Jumpsuit-Time]

​“He ain’t heavy, Father… he’s m’ brother.” Those iconic words have symbolized the spirit of Father Flanagan's Boys Town for decades, since 1918 at least.

[@eileendobbs8009]

Boys Town USA is or was a place for orphaned boys run by a Father Flanagan. One day Father Flanagan saw one of the boys carrying another of the boys up a flight of stairs because the boy had braces on his legs. Father Flanagan asked the boy isn't he heavy for you to be carrying everywhere and this was his response, He ain't heavy father, he's my brother. My understanding is that there's a statue of father Flanagan at boys Town with this motto on it. It was also adopted by Vietnam vets meaning help your brothers in the battlefield

[@andrewsiff]

Thank you. Some of us are old enough to have learned this as kids. It’s a tremendously touching sentiment and song.

[@thomasmacdiarmid8251]

It should be noted that there are accounts of this basic story youngster carrying a smaller sibling and giving the line) from earlier than Boys' Town. One version I know of is of a young Scottish girl saying this about carrying her toddler brother. It's he sort of story that resonates and gets adapted.

[@eileendobbs8009]

@@thomasmacdiarmid8251 yeah if you think about it this should always be the motto. Help mankind when they need help and don't act like it's a burden.

[@barbwire1415]

This song came out early Vietnam War and is about taking care of the brothers' outcomes, injuries, "doesn't weigh me down at all," because he ain't heavy (a burden) "he's my brother.

[@patriciakern-butler732]

It is from a book about Boys Town where orphans lived. There was one boy carrying his brother on his back all the time because his brother was younger and couldn’t keep up. The priest said ‘isn’t he too heavy to carry all the time’ The boy said ‘no, he’s not heavy, he’s my brother’. That’s basically what life is about, helping others when they fall or stumble. Meaning he would do anything to help him because he is family. The Hollies wrote the song with that saying basically about life being long and hard and sometimes family and friends need help and it’s not a burden, they’re family…help them out. “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 on. He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.” Read the whole lyrics and listen again. It’s beautiful.

[@silgen]

Dear me. I was 10 when this came out and I got it's meaning immediately.

[@rickcooper53]

I had the same reaction. These two aren’t very bright.

[@donalddixon6541]

I did too. Its not that hard.....

[@dustinpatton576]

My best friend died of exposure when his car got stuck in the desert. He had struggled with mental illness and drug use on and off. I stuck with him and tried to help as much as I could. He was truly a great friend, intelligent, and had different ways of looking at things. Obviously he wasn't always in a bad way. When I got to his funeral I was told that I'd carry his urn. I was in shock and humbled. I was somewhat worried that in my state and with the weight, I'd drop him. Ever since then when I hear this, I think of him. I got you Nate.

[@rs-ye7kw]

"The road from which there is no return" is our journey through life, a journey we all must take and a journey in which we all need help sometimes from our fellow man. We should all be willing to help our "brothers" in this life and help them bear their burdens, pains, and sorrows through our common journey down that road. "While we are on the way to there, why not share?"

[@alainlyz]

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

[@donaldlynch7128]

It’s about his brother, Good Friend or basically any human isn’t a burden. The road of life is long and has many turns and we should help each other. Your good people my friends

[@geneval3151]

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 the Guardian newspaper of February 24, 2006, Hollies guitarist Tony Hicks said: "There'd been this old film called Boys Town about a children's home in America, and the statue outside showed a child being carried aloft and the motto He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother. Bob Russell had been dying of cancer while writing the song. We never got, or asked for, royalties. Elton John - who was still called Reg - played piano on it and got paid 12 pounds. It was a worldwide hit twice."

[@renewillner5061]

The video of this song with background of Vietnam war footage says it all.. lovelovelove ❤️🌸✌🏻

[@joes2514]

Tears every time I sit and listen to the lyrics. People can argue until the end of time whether it's to be taken literally or figuratively. In the end, it means the exact same thing. Back then, the slang term, "heavy" meant "serious, burden, struggle, deep, etc". Whether you're physically carrying a heavy load or supporting someone who desperately needs assistance, they aren't heavy when you weigh the alternative. When you're so deeply committed you don't consider the "weight".

[@gordonbryan2523]

Two songs I had played at my brother's funeral. "Piper To The End" by Mark Knopfler. "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" by The Hollies. They filled in the words, at the time I couldn't.

[@dennisloberger1210]

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.” That is the inspiration for this song.

[@iamhudsdent2759]

"He ain't heavy, he's my brother" is/was the motto of Boystown of America, a charity for orphans. A related postage stamp issued depicted a boy carrying on his back his younger brother, with the words: He ain't heavy, he's my brother. Hope you guys get it. It's about caring for someone else more than yourself, no matter the burden.

[@jonathanriojas2177]

Love watching Brads reactions. He’s just like me when it comes to being stoic and just vibing with the song without having too make any outlandish faces like other reactors. He might not like the same songs I do but at least he’s honest without having to resort to goofy faces/tropes.

[@SweetThing]

"He ain't heavy, he's my brother" means: I've got his back. This song was popular during the Vietnam War and this meant a lot to the Veterans, about how they were there for each other; loyalty. I think, if you listen to the words of the song, it's pretty self-explanatory.

[@charliespride2058]

Remember Vietnam 🇻🇳 and everyone was one together every race , color, creed. We are all brothers . 60s love

[@ryanvogel170]

"Heavy" refers to a burden or inconvenience. If fellow man is your brother you do anything to help them.

[@moleman1976]

I'd approximate the sentiment as "supporting my fellow man isn't a chore, it's a blessing." It's not hard ("heavy") to help out a stranger, because that person ("he") is a fellow human being ("my brother"). It's a plea to open up our view of humanity. In the time the song was written, I believe it was focused on the Civil Rights reforms taking place, but the message of the song is literally timeless - this is a paean to shared humanity among all peoples. It's a beautiful song!

[@EC-dz3fb]

He ain't heavy - LITERALLY - because he's my brother - I will carry him when he cannot walk on his own. It's all good - whether he's 50 pounds or 500; SEMPER FI. ♡

[@jjhoffman680]

this is much more literal than that! He is saying he is strong enough to help and that brotherhood in general is not a burden, that's what lightens the load our love for one another as brothers and sisters wil give us the strength to help each other.

[@AzaleaLala]

He ain't heavy = He's not a burden. You'd do anything for your brother, friend, relative to help them and would not consider it a burden. This is on my list of favorite songs of all time. It's so good.

[@kerrylewis2581]

I like the saying, "Take care of yourself and each other." Words to live by

[@hoptech674]

This and Smoke on the water were played at my great uncles funeral yesterday and I now realise where my dad's music taste came from, his legendary cool uncle Calvin❤️❤️

[@penname5766]

Whatever people say about the origin of the song or what contemporary conflict it applied to (such as the Vietnam War), “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother” is definitely a metaphor, with “brother” meant in the universal sense that we are all brothers and sisters, and that it should never be too much of a burden or trouble to help one another, because love is the most important thing.

[@markzucker4320]

He is talking about helping another on the long road of life and doing so without complaint, but with love; something we should all emulate.

[@PaulMathias1]

In the Guardian newspaper of February 24, 2006, Hollies guitarist Tony Hicks said: "In the 1960s when we were short of songs I used to root around publishers in Denmark Street. One afternoon, I'd been there ages and wanted to get going but this bloke said: 'Well there's one more song. It's probably not for you.' He played me the demo by the writers [Bobby Scott and Bob Russell]. It sounded like a 45rpm record played at 33rpm, the singer was slurring, like he was drunk. But it had something about it. There were frowns when I took it to the band but we speeded it up and added an orchestra. The only things left recognizable were the lyrics. There'd been this old film called Boys Town about a children's home in America, and the statue outside showed a child being carried aloft and the motto He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother. Bob Russell had been dying of cancer while writing. We never got, or asked for, royalties. Elton John - who was still called Reg - played piano on it and got paid 12 pounds. It was a worldwide hit twice."

[@PaulMathias1]

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.

[@nikkiwilliams8508]

Geez Louise guys! You have me crying! 🥺😢😭 I’ve heard this song throughout my life (‘84 baby here) but had forgotten about it. My aunt became mildly obsessed with it when my dad passed in 2017. 3 years later my momma found my baby brother dead, he had got out of jail the day before. Now every time I hear it I cry.

[@MsRhodeman]

The phrase he ain't heavy He's My brother can be tracked back to the home for boys in Nebraska called boys Town... The man that ran the home his name was father Flanagan and he seen a picture hanging on a wall of a boy carrying another boy and the caption on the picture said he ain't heavy father he's my brother and he got a hold of the head of the place where the picture was hanging and asked if he could use that in his home for boys... There was an old movie with Spencer Tracy playing the part of Father Flanagan boys Town is a real place in Nebraska it's a true story... It just puts the meaning behind the song every time you listen to it...❤

[@sherridelay2484]

He’s my best friend, he’s my brother. No matter what happens I will always be there. He ain’t heavy, cuz I love him and can always count on him. Beautiful song.

[@garyfallows1123]

From what i have read this is an unofficial anthem for American Forces as in you don't leave your brother on the battle field, you carry him and bring him home

[@theringleader]

my guess on the time frame of this song, is helping a soldier that got wounded and you're carrying him to get help. soldiers are brothers

[@guyring8912]

Carrying your brothers in arms on the battlefield... never leave your brothers behind!

[@aperinich]

This song has always been a heartbreaking tearjerker for me, as well as "Daniel" by Elton John. At least since I was a young kid, these songs have resonated with me in a very sombre way. This goes back to the late 1980s for me. In 2015, my brother Daniel, died unexpectedly, and now I can barely listen to these beautiful songs. The police declared his death to be suicide, despite also thieving many of his possessions, and ignoring his involvement in trying to overturn an abusive drug and sex racket, and we'll never really get answers through a formal investigation, as some of that police dept. was buying drugs through this syndicate, and managed to write off/write down my brothers death without the spotlight being turned onto them. Heartbreaking. Great song, always was, always will be.

[@dalebrown6716]

The boy and his brother were featured on the stamp available at Christmas time mostly… it’s the story of a brother trying to take his little brother to Boystown during a big snowstorm in the area

[@kevinerose]

The road they speak of is the life that we travel. Problems in life load you down but he is saying his brother doesn't not weigh him down. He is not further encumbered by the load of taking care of his brother. There is an image I think the writers had of a little girl struggling to carry her baby brother. The song writer says to her, "Isn't he a little too heavy for you to be carrying him around?" And the little girl looks up and says, "Oh he ain't heavy, he's my brother." She loves her brother so much that she doesn't feel him as a burden at all. Applying that phrase to life in general, there are people in all our lives that we would do anything for to keep them afloat in this world. And we take it in stride to do anything and seemingly without effort to others. So "brother" is a term meaning someone close to you and "heavy" meaning a burden in life. Someone asks you "Why do you keep helping him. He won't change. It's really got to be a struggle for you." And you say, "No, he ain't heavy. He's my brother."

[@RFWieder]

In 1943 Father Flannigan of Boy's Town saw the phrase " He's not heavy, he's my brother" in Ideal magazine. He remembered a picture from a few years earlier of two of his boys. Well a statue was made and it became the symbol of Boy's Town. In the 60's the song was written eventually it became a hit for the Hollies and others.

[@okmickey232]

This is an iconic song for many reasons, one of them being the lyrics, brotherly love etc. A bit surprised and disappointed that it was lost on you.

[@robertasirgutz8800]

This song always makes me cry. Vietnam war era. Carrying your brother, dead or alive, over the battlefield.

[@AwesomeBabyBoomer]

What they are saying is that the road of life is long and as we travel down that road we're gonna see people in trouble and we have to love one another enough to care. Care enough to help our brothers and sisters through their troubled times. It's about sharing their burdens and that their burdens are not to heavy because they are your brother or sister. This song is about love for one another.

[@dustinsavage2832]

Funny you mentioned rehab - this song was used by Concerned Children's Advertisers in an anti-drug commercial that would play during Saturday morning cartoons. "If you try to stop a friend from using drugs, you may not succeed, but at least you tried, and that's what friends are for." Whenever I whistle the tune, my wife chimes in "A message from Concerned Children's Advertisers"

[@rusynlig1]

From Songfacts: 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.

[@wessew6185]

An anthem to shared humanity.

[@richardblack5710]

The phrase “he ain’t heavy, he’s my brother” came from the Boys Town slogan. 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.

[@doriwiljt]

It’s about helping your fellow human, always loved this song

[@firedoc5]

The Hollies are such a diverse band. Their musical styles are so varied that it's hard to tell they're the same group. This song was from when a boy arrived at Boy's Town in Nebraska while carrying his brother a long distance that it became their motto. It has now referred to help your fellow man physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually through the hard times of life.

[@saintdon4461]

its from an old scottish book the parables of jesus written in 1884

[@firedoc5]

@@saintdon4461 I may look into that since I have predominantly Scottish heritage.

[@saintdon4461]

@@firedoc5 father flanagan probably had scottish herritage and read the book..it was originally a scottish girl who said "nae he aint heavy, hes mi broother"