I never really gave this song much thought, but could remember the first few words and then hum along with the rest. That basically how I do all songs. Being a young adult and seeing nothing but the hopes, love and life ahead, this song didn't mean much to me.
I know this song has been done in different ways, by different artists. The recording and video below means more to me, at this stage of my life.
The lyrics? Can you hear them? Understand them? Here they are:
The road is
long/ with many a winding turn
That leads
us to who knows where/who knows when.
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 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...
Do you remember this song? What were you doing when it first appeared (1970s)? What does this song mean to you now? Have you ever "carried "someone? Has someone ever "carried" you? Are you carrying someone now?
