About the song
“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” is a poignant ballad that has touched the hearts of listeners around the world since its debut. Written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell, the song was first recorded by Kelly Gordon in 1969. However, it was the Hollies’ rendition later that year that propelled it to international fame, and Neil Diamond’s version in 1970 further cemented its place in music history. The song’s enduring appeal led to a successful re-release by the Hollies in 1988, which once again achieved major success in the UK.
The story behind the song’s creation is as compelling as its melody. Scott and Russell were introduced by Johnny Mercer at a California nightclub. Despite Russell’s battle with terminal lymphoma and their limited meetings, the two managed to create a song that would resonate across generations. The title of the song, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” draws from a touching anecdote featured in various sources. James Wells, in his 1884 book *The Parables of Jesus*, recounts a story of a little Scottish girl carrying a large baby boy. When asked if she was tired, she responded with a surprising simplicity: “No, he’s not heavy; he’s my brother.”
This sentiment was echoed in Ralph Waldo Trine’s 1918 publication *The Higher Powers of Mind and Spirit*, and the exact phrase appeared in a 1924 Kiwanis magazine column. The phrase was also adopted as a slogan by Father Edward Flanagan of Boys Town in the 1940s, emphasizing the notion of compassion and brotherhood. According to Boys Town lore, a young resident’s response while carrying a fellow child up stairs inspired this use of the phrase.
The song’s universal message of love and support, coupled with its rich history and the touching origin of its title, continues to inspire listeners and remind us of the strength found in empathy and familial bonds.
Video
Lyrics
… 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
… 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