The world needs to hear this remake of “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” at this time. First is Neil Diamond’s version, then check out The Justice Collective release of this song at the end of this article. The Justice Collective version came out for last Christmas. Once you click on their link, please arrow down to the video and audio box with the women singing. Click on this song for a beautiful treat. Sorry that it begins with a short ad. You will need to click it off when it is done so it does not continue with ads at the end.
Lyrics:
The road is long
with many a winding turn
that leads us to who knows where,
who know 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…
“The Justice Collective released their tribute single ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ in remembrance of the tragic disaster at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield.
This song was first written by Bob Russell. Little did he know it would be his last song. It was written to commemorate the Boy’s Town stamp, which beneath the picture read, “He ain’t heavy Father, he’s my brother.” Father Edward J. Flanagan was the founder of Boy’s Town.
Father Edward J. Flanagan is the founder and visionary for what’s known today as Boys Town. He had a dream that every child could be a productive citizen if given love, a home, an education and a trade. He accepted boys of every race, color and creed. Father Flanagan firmly believed, “There are no bad boys. There is only bad environment, bad training, bad example, bad thinking.”
Father Flanagan was born on July 13, 1886, in County Roscommon, Ireland. In 1904, he set sail for the United States. Following his ordination in 1912, Father Flanagan was assigned to the Diocese of Omaha. His first parish assignment was Saint Patrick’s in O’Neill, Nebraska. In March 1913, he was appointed Assistant Pastor to Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Omaha.
On December 12, 1917, Father Flanagan opened his first Boys’ Home in a run-down Victorian mansion in downtown Omaha. In 1921, the Boys’ Home moved to Overlook Farm, its present location near 139th and West Dodge Road. Father Flanagan and Boys Town became internationally known with the help of the 1938 movie, “Boys Town.” He became an acknowledged expert in the field of child care, and toured the United States discussing his views on juvenile delinquency.
The federal government called on Father Flanagan to help children both nationally and internationally. After World War II, President Truman asked him to travel to Asia and Europe to attend discussions about children left orphaned and displaced by the war. During a tour of Europe, he fell ill and died of a heart attack in Berlin, Germany, on May 15, 1948. Funeral services for Father Flanagan were held in the Dowd Memorial Catholic Chapel, located at the heart of his beloved Boys Town. Today, the church is the site of his final resting place.” See http://lb2.boystown.org/about/father-edward-j-flanagan
“…The work will continue, you see, whether I am there or not, because it is God’s work, not mine.” – Father Flanagan
Go to: http://www.boystown.org/ to check out more about Boys Town.
Wherever you are in the world, this is for you.
Namaste
UNIVERSAL WISDOM ENLIGHTENMENT™ LLC 