He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

by Neil Diamond

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Lyrics

The (Cm7)road is (Bb)long,

with man y a (Eb)wind ing turn

(F7)that leads us to (Gm)who

knows (Ab)where,

who knows (Cm7)where.

But I’m (Bbmaj7)strong,

strong e nough to (Eb)car ry him.

He ain’t (Cm7)heav y,

he’s my (Bb)broth er.

So (Cm7)on we (Bb)go;

his wel fare is (Eb)my con cern.

(F7)No bur den is (Gm)he

to (Ab)bear,

we’ll get (Cm7)there.

For I (Bbmaj7)know

he would not en (Eb)cum ber me.

He ain’t (Cm7)heav y,

he’s my (Bb)broth er.

So (Cm7)on we (Bb)broth er.

If I’m (Ebmaj7)la den

at (F)all,

I’m (Ebmaj7)la den

with (F)sad ness

that (Dm7)ev

’ry one’s (Fm7)heart

is n’t (Ebmaj7)filled

with the (Gm)glad ness

of (E)love

for one an (Cm7)oth

er.

It’s a (Cm7)long, (C)long (Bb)road,

from which there is (Eb)no re turn.

(F7)While we’re on our (Gm)way

to (Ab)there,

why not (Cm7)share?

And the (Bbmaj7)load

does n’t weigh me (Eb)down at all.

He ain’t (Cm7)heav y,

he’s my (Bb)broth er.

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother by Neil Diamond — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother” by Neil Diamond in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of Eb at 76 BPM, a medium-difficulty arrangement — try slowing the tempo down using the BPM control.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
How many chords does "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" use?
Just 14 chords: Ab, Bb, Bbmaj7, C9, Cm7, D7, Dm7, Eb, +6 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Neil Diamond songs work for kids?
Try "ALONE AGAIN NATURALLY", "I AM...I SAID", "HELLO AGAIN". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.