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
Fun fact: a young Elton John played piano on the Hollies 1970 hit.
The phrase "He ain't heavy, He's my brother" is thought to have originated from an 1884 in a book called "The Parables of Jesus" by Rev. James Wells.
Father Flannigan, founder of "Boys Town" in Nebraska, adapted it when he noticed a younger resident carrying another resident with polio, the boy responded "He ain't heavy, He's my brother"
Bobby Scott had terminal cancer when he wrote it and passed away 6 weeks after it hit the Billboard charts.
