This song was and still is inspired by Boys Town. One day the Founder Father Flanagan saw a young boy carrying his crippled younger brother up the stairs at the home,Father Flanagan said that was a heavy load you’re carrying,the boy replied he ain’t heavy he’s my brother.It’s still the mission statement of Boys Town.

@ginger7044

Ай бұрын

❤

@rhondapease8516

Ай бұрын

I remember as a child in the 1950s and 1960s the Boys Town seals with the boy carrying his brother coming in the mail, typically at Christmas time. My mom would always send in a donation and use those seals on our Christmas card envelopes. My mom wouldn't use them unless she sent in a donation.

@threekidzmom04

Ай бұрын

❤❤

@user-gt2uf8cq9y

Ай бұрын

It's actually an older story than that, from back in the 1880s. Check out the Wikipedia entry for this song for the original Church of Scotland story.

@rhondapease8516

Ай бұрын

@@user-gt2uf8cq9y That's interesting. I am sure Boys Town was inspired by the Scottish story as a theme for Boys Town.

This song isn’t just about brother in the literal sense. It’s about helping your fellow man.

@timcarr6401

Ай бұрын

Exactly. He didn't get the point.

@tuckerplum8085

Ай бұрын

@@timcarr6401 Well, to be fair, it might not be immediately obvious. (He's hearing the song for the first time.) The song can TOTALLY be appreciated as being about loving your sibling. It can be about the love and support of immediate family. And it can be extremely moving from that perspective. It can be appreciated on many levels. It can be about one's fellow humans of any type. It can be about racial justice. It can be about having empathy for disability, or mental illness, or any of the difficulties and challenges experienced by someone standing next to you. It can be about loving and supporting your fellow human, no matter who he or she might be to you. (Maybe even your own male sibling.)

@timcarr6401

Ай бұрын

@@tuckerplum8085 Well said.

This song is about our relationship with our fellow man to be there for one another. Because he's not heavy he's my brother ❤

@aliciamartin2024

Ай бұрын

Absolutely!!!!!! How sad we forgot 😢

@CarolinaGirl6919

Ай бұрын

It can apply to so many things, Including the real relationship between actual brothers; but you're right. I think during this time everybody was trying to bring the races together and the different classes together in music. We accomplished that by and large - - until people started trying to tear it apart in the last 10 years or so. I resent that on a really deep level. We're all brothers and sisters; God created all of us in His image. Caring about others isn't heavy burden to bear, when you think of them as your actual brothers.

@pamelaesparza1586

Ай бұрын

@@CarolinaGirl6919 absolutely well said ❤️

We played this song at my brother Joe's funeral. In 1975, when he was only 17, he was in a diving accident and broke 4 vertebrae in his spine. He became a quadriplegic and depended on my parents, our older brother and me for nearly every thing in his life until he passed away in 2014. At least 4 times a day, our older brother Jeff would literally carry him from wherever he was to wherever he needed to be. .. from the van into the emergency room more than once. At Joe's funeral, we played this song, and the literal hundreds of people who attended his funeral were in tears. Joe had become a bit of a hero/legend in our tiny Oklahoma town, and was loved by them all. Jeff had told Joe dozens of times over the years, "You aren't heavy, you're my brother ". It truly feels as though that song was written for my amazing brothers. Rest in heaven Joe. You can walk and run and dance again, and I am so grateful to have that image in my mind.

@Janesorensen84014

Ай бұрын

So beautiful 😢❤

@michaelparsons5299

Ай бұрын

WOW! 😇

@daniellemaines4874

Ай бұрын

Your comment just brought me to tears. Your brothers sound like amazing fellas.

@loisjohnson7272

Ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story with us and it’s a wonderful reminder of how important our relationship with our brothers and sisters are❤, love to you my friend

@maxr4448

Ай бұрын

Even though this is a tragedy your family, this brought your family together stronger. Sorry for your loss. Your brother is my age, I was 17 in '75! He is in a better place now, and free as a bird with Christ.

When my younger brother died I was carrying his ashes down the beach and someone asked me if the container was too heavy. It made me smile because this song went through my head. Now this song is very special to me.

@joyceharkin3641

Ай бұрын

Similarly, I had collected my twin brother's ashes and I commented to my husband that they were much heavier than I was expecting. He asked if I wanted him to take them and of course, I started singing No, it's Okay "He ain't heavy, he's my brother." It made us both laugh and cry at the same time. Still broken-hearted. 💔

I just lost my brother last week. He had a handicap and I took care of him every day. He was the strongest person I knew. People just don't understand it's not work it's an honor to take care of him ( he's my brother).

@southernlady160

20 күн бұрын

He wasn't heavy either....

@TomCurless

12 күн бұрын

It's hard to add words to that,just understanding

At 59 this song still gets me emotional, no matter what creed, colour or religion you are, we are all brothers and sisters of the human race and need to wake up and realise that we shouldn't be destroying eachother 🇬🇧

@bluecrueful

16 күн бұрын

Hear, Hear!

"His welfare is my concern" seems like such a formal line for a song... but in the hands of the Hollies, it's an absolute tear-jerker. Great reaction!

My 22 year old brother and his friends were at my moms kitchen table, talking about what if. Soon, they got around to funerals. My brother said he wanted this song played at his funeral, as his friends carried his casket. One month later he was murdered. We honored his wish. It hurts 50+ years later, but the song is still special, to me.

@user-vh7uo2su3h

23 күн бұрын

I cried once for the song and a second time on reading this comment. What a wise choice of music to have made for such a young soul.

This song was written for all the "brothers" who needed strength from other brothers/sisters! This song is personal to me - my bro had mental issues but was never a burden to me! It was a long , long road that ended with cancer....he's now free in Heaven!! He was never heavy to me! ❤

I lost my twin brother in 1989, suddenly in a car accident. My 17 year old self was broken and this track was rereleased shortly after..... It still makes me cry today. Chills.

The song is about the brotherhood of man. Not a particular brother. In 1970 we were a troubled nation with Vietnam and racial issues.

@kencraig6526

29 күн бұрын

and we are again, only worse

I'm on mission in 78 with the Marines when I got the call my brother was gone. By the time I got back I missed everything . I went to the top of the hill overlooking a reservoir and played this on my cassette over and over praying for God to accept his young soul in to the grace of Jesus and to forgive me for not being there in his time of need

@rmp7400

9 күн бұрын

@robert Not too late....because there is no time with Almighty God. You can still think of and pray for the young man in his need as if it we're now - because Holy god can miraculously apply your attention and intention to those moments in human time as if you were there then. Christians are not all taught thus, but should be made aware of this: one of the most powerful realities of the action of God's Grace - Timelessness+

I love this song. I think of it referring to the brotherhood of man and how we need to open our hearts to everyone.

It's not just about family...it's about society in it's entirety!!! It's about the brotherhood and sisterhood of mankind!!! We should always support each other!!!

Brother in this song refers to mankind. Helping one another and sharing what we have.

I am the only girl of 5 children, so I had 4 brothers growing up. We are all in our 50s-60s now. One brother has gone through really tough times, is now disabled, suicidal, in a sad state. This song is our agreed-upon anthem for helping that brother through his tough times. We will never let him fall, never leave him alone, and never give up on him.

Brother, I just returned home from my sister's house where I had the night shift. She is just 74 and dying from a rare and aggressive cancer. Four years ago she buried her son at the age of 42. He was born with short bowel syndrome. He was the bravest person I've ever known. Now my sister is as well. Thank you for sharing your families pain and yours.Thank you.

Love this group. The Hollies are a British pop rock group formed in 1962 & known for their great harmonies. They had so many hit songs such as "The Air That I Breathe", "Bus Stop", "Stop Stop Stop", "On A Carousel", "Carrie Anne", "Here I Go Again", "Look Through Any Window", "King Midas In Reverse", "Jennifer Eccles", "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress" etc. "Graham Nash" was originally in this group & left in 1968 to form "Crosby, Stills & Nash".

@rosmeeker1964

Ай бұрын

Loved Gasoline Allley Bred back then. The song seems forgotten now.

This song was released during a time when there was a lot of legitimate social unrest. I have always thought of this as referring to "brother" in the more general term - or "brotherhood of man". If your focus shifts to that instead of the more specific "brother" - it becomes more powerful.

It's a beautiful song and a beautiful sentiment. We're all brothers, carrying each other along this road to ... who knows where? I don't listen to modern music, being pretty much a creature of my past. Do they still write popular songs about love and brotherhood? If they don't, well, that's a message every generation needs to hear.

I took care of my youngest brother who was mentally disabled for 15 1/2 years after our parents passed. This song and Jesus got me through the hardest times. RIP to both my brothers 😇❤️😇

The harmonica gives it a haunting feeling.

My 96 year old mum died on Sunday after seven years of dementia suffering. I am completely broken but I am so glad that I was able to ensure she had the best care for her last days. This song sums it up perfectly. She was never a burden to me as I loved her so much. x

@vickithornley5056

27 күн бұрын

I am truly sorry to hear about your mom. Please take care of yourself. You will never regret being their for your mom. God bless. 🌻

@leefi1

16 сағат бұрын

There is a sense of rightness in caring for a loved one, doing the best that you possibly can to care for your family member who's facing death is almost holy I hope you can find peace in knowing that you did everything that you could to ease her passing.

If you listen closely to the track, you will hear an electric piano playing along with the bass guitar. They needed a piano part. Their friend Reg Dwight (who later became Elton John) made himself available to do session work. He was the studio’s messenger boy, and he was recording his own material at night and doing odd jobs to make money.

@AzaleaLuna

Ай бұрын

I didn't know this. Great story. Elton John is an amazing musician.

@angelaregan475

Ай бұрын

Can't stand Elton John. All his music sounds the same.

EVERYONE who hears this song has a different definition of the word "brother'. And that is what makes this song perfect, for any time, any place, and any mood. Also, those like me who lived thru the 60's somehow, remember there was an extra special definition for the word "heavy". If things weren't "groovy" they may be "heavy" meaning burdensome, or taxing to your very soul, or just very deep.

This song brings tears to my eyes everytime I hear it. Our children are all grown: Son, Son, Daughter, Son. It is our youngest son that will need to live with us until we are too old to care for him or we pass on. Our oldest son has, of his own volition, stepped up and has claimed responsibility for his youngest brother for when the time comes. The conversation happened in an unexpected phone call that brought me to my knees and in tears of gratitude....it is the biggest concern and fear of parents with disabled adult children: who will care for our child when we are gone? I am so humbled and grateful that our oldest son feels and believes it to be his role and responsibility as the eldest child, to be the one to say, "He ain't heavy. He's my brother."

Very meaningful during the Viet Nam war era- adopted by soldiers as an anthem

One must also consider the time in which this song was recorded and released. It's about more than just familial relationships, it's also about how we are all brothers and sisters, and about how we treat each other, and how ready we are to help carry anyone that is struggling in real time.

Played at my brother in law's funeral in 2007. This song is beyond special to my family. Plus Alan Clarke is an old friend of the family, my mother was at his wedding in Coventry as a guest back in the early 1970s. I love this song, its a timeless classic.

Great song. Timeless. The Hollies, in my opinion, rank in the top 10 of the greatest Rock N' Roll Bands of all time.

I've been listening to this song for more than 50 years and it still hits me hard. It is a beautiful song in melody and lyrics.

This reminds me of my friend who spent years trying to save his son from drugs and dealers, even getting his home attacked.His son hanged himself.About a year later he did the same. Rest in peace Nev, he loved this song We listened as 15 yr olds.

@IMRDP

27 күн бұрын

😥😥😥😥😥😥

Thank you Sebs. My older brother and I are in our older years now, and he is suffering from several major medical conditions. He has always been a rock for me but we were never the hugging emotional family until now. I recently sent him a letter telling him how much I have looked up to him and before it's too late I said I Love you brother to which he genuinely thanked me. This song just brings it all back.

They were a soft rock or pop group. Of all those British Invasion groups, they were one of the longest lasting, having hits into the Seventies and 1980. They had a long string of Top Ten Hits including two more #1 hits “The Air That I Breathe”, “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” and my sister’s favorite, the top ten hit “Bus Stop”. Graham Nash began with The Hollies before joining Buffalo Springfield. He was the “N” in CSN&Y (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young”).

A powerful message in a beautiful song. This old world could sure use a lot more songs like this.

This song is about humanity. We are all 'brothers' to each other (even people non-male).... this is about how we should be supporting and loving one another, no matter what country, ethnicity, religion, gender, identity etc. Instead of trying to tear down others because of our fears, misguided beliefs etc.

My brother who was battling cancer came to live with me the last 7 months of his life - I wouldn't trade it for anything ❤ This song is reminding me of our time spent together before he left us 😢 It was hard and demanding, but he was my brother and I would do it again - miss you Randy 💔

He one of best vocalist in recording history he’s one of the chosen one ☝️ great lives singers😊

I have been a fan of this song and The Hollies since the mid 60’s. Their harmonies were the best. Graham Nash was part of them for many years then left to join Crosby Stills Nash & Young.

This is my all time favorite song going back to when it first came out. My brother was an epileptic. He had his first seizure when he was 2 years old. I was 4 and didn't understand what was going on. The fire department was there then the ambulance came. It was really scary. I thought my bro was dying or something. I remember one of the firemen coming into my room trying to calm me down telling me that my brother was going to be okay. I remember get on my knees and saying a pray for him while the fireman did the same thing. Fast forward, as I got older, I became very protective of my little bro to the point whenever he'd have a seizure, either my mom or dad would call my name, I'd go to the washroom get a cold face cloth for my parents to use on my brother then call an ambulance! This song came out when I was 8 and it summed everything up for me in how I felt for my little bro throughout our lives! He eventually outgrew the grand mal seizures but he was still hoing through petit mal seizures like drooling and other little things. My brother passed away Dec 2010 at 48. I miss him so much but everytime I hear this song I think of him! RIP Jim!

There's an actual true story that inspired this song. There was a boy scout troup hiking through mountains when one boy fell and injured his leg. He couldn't walk on it, so one of the other boys hoisted him up on his back and began carrying him. The scout master asked wasn't the boy too heavy? And the boy simply said, "He ain't heavy, he's my brother", and carried the boy the rest of the way.

There was a placement center for boys without families called Boys Town. In the front was a statue of an older boy carrying a smaller one. Inscribed on the base was the line, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother".

This song came out in 1969. I was eight years old and I just remember it being such a time of social turmoil in this country. And this song became an anthem for the youth movement who said, "Hey, I will go march against the Vietnam war because my drafted friends had no choice about going. I will go down to Mississippi and help register black voters so they can express their choice as citizens at the polls. I will support women wanting a place in the workforce because the white establishment men won't give them a chance." I absolutely understand all the people out there who relate this song to their own family members but, to me, this song will always represent the young people of the nation who decided it was in everyone's best interest to help raise others up.

@DavidNewton-in9xx

26 күн бұрын

Very well expressed 1802 !

This is a song of brother hood I lost a brother in a house fire When he was only 16. He was an Amazing brother and will always be loved and never be forgotten 😢

Played this at my son funeral when hid friends carried him in. So emotional❤

Great song... The Osmonds and their sister Marie often sang this song on their TV shows. Their 2 oldest brothers were deaf, and they've had many trials.

The other thing about this is that it doesn’t simply apply to your blood relatives because I know that a lot of military members feel this song, especially when it came out and during Vietnam

My dad was an addict. From a young age I brought up my 2 younger brothers. It cost me my own childhood and education but Id do it all again in a heartbeat. They are exceptional men and my best friends.

It’s one of those songs that causes your whole body to react with goosebumps. Beautiful

Theme song for many siblings, including mine for my brother. Much much love for him. Thanks for sharing. The Osmond's sing this too, they have 8 brothers & 1 sister. When they sing this together it drops me.

The Osmond Brothers did this song too. It is one of my favorites. It is the motto for Boy's Town.❤😊

This song debuted during the Viet Nam War, I was at University as many of my friends were called by the Draft. The sadness we shared as they left university to face the unknown was deep. It is an especially significant song for those who faced the battlefield. The expression "blood is thicker than water" actually means the opposite of how we use it. The blood of the battlefield is thicker than the water of the womb. The constant feeling that death is all around you, makes your military relationships very close. Often lasting forever...you become "brothers in arms". This is why this song hits many of us emotionally, we all have our own experiences with difficulties, tragedies and profound loss, it is the depths of our relationships that make our lives bearable...I'm glad that the mysterious KZread algorithm brought you to me Sebs!

Sorry to hear about your brother. My little brother is 62 years old but, he's still, and forever always be, my little brother.

The Hollies came from my home town and I was so proud they did this song! It's such a wonderful song- beautiful words that mean so much to so many people for different meanings! Whoever wrote this had a wonderful ❤ I consider myself very privileged to have belonged to this musical era! LOVE AND KINDNESS TO ALL❤❤❤😊😊😊

I sang this, a'capela in 1999 when my Fraternity Brother passed at 41 from bone cancer. All of my " brothers" circled me and many put their hands on my shoulders and back - that almost broke me but, I just kept going. It was the last moments before gathering to celebrate his life back at a hall. We were roommates for a while in an old house. He was very caring and crazy at the same time. His nickname was "Radical Randy". I think of him whenever I sing this and how much it meant to me and dozens of my brothers that were there for him and his family.

I had this son at my brother’s funeral. He died of AIDS several years ago. I miss him dearly. I did everything I could to help him. I love this song but it rips my heart out.

You need to watch Osmond-He ain't heavy 2006. They talk a bit and bring out Alan, who has been retired due to MS. Their harmony is great when they start singing.

I met the Hollies when I worked as a florist for a time in Manchester (uk) They were recording at the Granada studios just down the road..Always loved them a very underestimated band ...I am the youngest of five as well

Also, the Hollies were known for their amazing harmonies. One of their members, Graham Nash, went on to for Crosby, Stills and Nash (and then later added Neil Young) which was a 70's supergroup.

My son's older brother, by 15 years.. they weren't really raised together but shared a great love for their Dad.. the older has schizophrenia and my son is always helping him out financially... I remember asking him why he kept giving him money... he said simply "He's my brother."

This song always brings me to tears. I come from a family of 9 plus one adopted. 8 boys and two girls. We used to be very close, but as we aged, I'm now 68, we've drifted apart and we rarely see each other and the sad part is we all live fairly close in the RI. I'm the 7th in line. I recently had 2 of my brothers pass in as many years. All I can say to everyone, is hold on tight and let the little things go because you don't want to be where my family is now. It breaks my heart because at this age your family is so important. Thanks for this video Seb.

I love this song, but it makes me cry every time. The Hollies have a lot of good songs.

Love this .love the Hollies Myself my brother and sister sang along to this at my older bothers funeral 8 years ago. Makes me cry every time .😢

Strangely this song makes me think of my dear dad who is nearly 90 he lost his wife,my lovely mum a few weeks ago.They were together 72 years but dads sadness also extends to his brothers all passing.Beautiful song

My favorite line in the song And the load doesn't weigh me down at all he aint heavy he's my brother. I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters and we were raised as ONE....❤💯

My youngest brother passed last year, was glad to be by his side through it.

The Osmond Brothers also did this song with great success.

The Osmond Brothers also sang this song as did Elvis Presley, Bill Medley, Donny Hathaway, and many others. It is a very popular song.

@bishopswoodcrafts

Ай бұрын

yes it was written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell in 1969 and recorded by both Kelly Gordon and the Hollies of that year. The Hollies version was a huge worldwide hit, and again charted for them in 1988. As you say many other artists have covered this song over the years but none have had big hits with it. This version is by far the most well known.

I lost my little brother in 2015,, he was 35,,5 years younger than me ,,,anyone who has or had a brother ,,know theres no tighter relationship..,,you have a lifetime of inside jokes ,,my brother and i could be going through our own hard times in our lives ,,and one could call the other at 2 am ,,,and say literally one or two words of an inside lifetime joke just between eachother ...that nobody knew about ,,and we woukd laugh so hard till it hurt !!,, sometimes we would do that to eachother,,,till we were laughing so hard ,,it hurt !! ,,and just hang up ,,hahaha,, and that was enough to carry eachother for the rest of the week ...i miss those calls the most !!

The Hollies were an amazing British group with songs like The air that I breathe

A song for the ages. When it was released in the late sixties, we were so blown away by the tune, especially the lyrics. Today, it effects me the same way that it did the day I first heard it.

The Osmond’s version of this is very emotional. The two eldest brothers are deaf and are not in the group but still very much one of the brothers.

When I was younger I never really thought about the lyrics to this song, just that it is a beautiful tune. Now however it brings me to tears. It's powerful on different levels.

This applies to Sisters as well, One brother, he is 15 years my senior, a sister is 12 years my senior, and one sister is 6 years my senior, I am the baby of 4, and I have lost both my sisters😭, It is my brother and I left, he is 80 and I am 65... The Osmonds did a great cover of this song and they were a lot of brothers

NICE! Though used in a movie 🍿🎥 called BOYS TOWN from 1938 with a young Mickey Rooney, the term goes way back to 1884 in a book titled; The Parables of Jesus by James Well. Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎

This song is how my mom taught us about equality. I grew up one of 3 girls. She was very deliberate in telling us how there are different kinds of brother. And our job, is to make sure we never leave family behind.

This song will ALWAYS remind me of the time of my brother's passing. And carrying his ashes to be be spread on the family's land.

Their harmony is fantastic, best of all time.

I always think this song speaks to the whole world. Everyone is our brother.

This is so very beautiful! Such an iconic song sung by an iconic band. Love your reaction!

Such an important song. For everyone, anyone. It makes me want to cry when I listen to it.

Not a profound story, but it moves me. I used to work in an office where two of the guys were friends and would called each other brother. Not bro. “Hey brother, how’s it going.” Etc. Just the open expression of warmth and affection. It always made me smile.

Sebs Duran, this song was cover by the Osmond Brothers. The song is based on a phrase from the book of Parabolic of JESUS by James Well in 1884. The tail of little girl carrying her baby brother. So when someone ask if she was getting weary ...she replied " No he's not heavy; he's my brother ".

From the first time I heard this song, I took it to mean that we all need to carry each other, take care of each other. That hasn't changed in all the decades since it first came out.

Graham Nash (Crosby Stills & Nash) was an original Hollie. However, he left the band before this song came out. He was on 'Bus Stop', 'On A Carousel' and 'Carrie Anne', which were big hits for the Hollies.

They are still traveling and singing ❤

Another ride in the Time Machine. It’s been ages since I heard this song but with the first notes I’m right back to 9th grade when it was playing on the radio feeling the same emotions. Great song, great reaction. ❤

Quite similar to this version of the song, the Osmonds recorded this song also and would sing it in their live concerts. It became one of the songs they closed on showing how important their family was to them. Counting the two older Osmonds who were born deaf and would do the sign language during the song.

In the 1920s a priest named Father Flanagan started a home for orphaned boys which is popularly known as Boys Town. It's still there. You can search it. One day Father Flanigan saw one boy carrying his polio stricken brother up a flight of stairs and asked if that wasn't heavy, to which the boy replied, "He ain't heavy, Father, he's my brother." That is where the title and the sentiment of the song come from.

At a time of many great bands, I seem to remember the Hollies being called "the group's favourite group." 🇬🇧

Youngest too.3 sisters and 6 brothers.3 have passed.One always had my back.Miss them all.This song hit me hard too.Thanks for your channel and posts

This song is a plea to love all of your brothers and sisters in all of humanity. In that era their was a movement for peace love and harmony. We could use a revival today. Thanks for sharing✌️

This became an anthem for our Vietnam Veterans who were fighting a war plus dealing with our nation turning their backs on them.

This song brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.

I would say one of the greatest pop songs of all time ! So powerful, beautiful and melodic, with a great message. I have a vision of a soldier carrying a wounded soldier to a helicopter, not sure if i saw that somewhere, or just imagined it.

I first became aware of this song early 70's. A couple of UCLA film students did a montage of Vietnam photos with this song, I'd Love To Change The World by Ten Years After, and Why Can't We Be Friends by Timmy Thomas. As young teenagers at the time, we had never seen anything so horrific and powerful. More progressive teachers brought copies of that short film to Jr. Highs, H.S. and colleges. In 12 minutes, I learned more about the ugliness of war, than all the classes, books and movies combined.

Legendary group. Legendary singer.

When music can move our humanity, its so special.

This song gives me cold chills and does make my cry. My brother died from a brain aneurysm 17 hrs afterward so this really hits home. I have a twin sister and he and I looked more alike than my twin - we were really close! One of the most beautiful songs ever wrote!