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Meantolearn Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary

He ain't heavy, he's my brother

"His welfare is 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"

Is "no burden is he to bear" short for 'no burden is he for me to bear'? (meaning he's not my burden at all)

Thanks
  

Top answer

It doesn't have to mean 'for me'; in other contexts it could mean 'for him/her/them/you'. The meaning is 'to me he does not seem to be a burden at all; I am happy to bear him'.

— Mister Micawber

  • It doesn't have to mean 'for me'; in other contexts it could mean 'for him/her/them/you'.
  • The meaning is 'to me he does not seem to be a burden at all; I am happy to bear him'.
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4 Answers
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It doesn't have to mean 'for me'; in other contexts it could mean 'for him/her/them/you'. The meaning is 'to me he does not seem to be a burden at all; I am happy to bear him'.
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I agree with MrM. The suggestion in the OP seems to be that he's somebody else's problem.

This song was based on the poster child for a charity. "He ain't heavy, he's my brother" was their slogan, the poster showing a smaller boy carrying a crutch on the back of a larger boy. I think the charity was a boys' home. I'm sure Google has it.
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Father Flannagan's Boys' Town in Omaha, Nebraska (1917)

Also Spencer Tracy Movie

http://everything2.com/title/Boys%2520Town
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To me, this song is a clear example of the power of music. What else could make a line like "His welfare is my concern" emotionally moving?
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