Lean On Me

Performance hints: [Intro (C♯ or D)]

friendship 20thc sing-along

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain, we all have sorrow.
But if we are wise we know that there’s always tomorrow.

Chorus:
Lean on me when you’re not strong,
and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on,
for it won’t be long ’til I’m gonna need
somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride if I have things you need to borrow,
For no one can fill those of your needs that you won’t let show.
[Chorus]

If there is a load you have to bear that you can’t carry
I’m right up the road, I’ll share your load if you just call me.
[Chorus]

Just call on me brother when you need a hand.
We all need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you’d understand.
We all need somebody to lean on.

Credits: Bill Withers
Notes: Withers grew up in a small coal-mining town in West Virginia, where neighbors always helped each other. When he lived in L.A., childhood nostalgia inspired his song "Lean On Me."

• Bill Withers recording (YouTube)
• Lean on Me Songfacts
• Lean on Me (Wikipedia)