Lean on Me – English Lyrics

• By: Bill Withers

Lyrics & Translation

Bill Withers' "Lean on Me" is a timeless song that offers a powerful message of friendship and solidarity through its simple, yet profound, English lyrics. Its straightforward language makes it an excellent choice for language learners to grasp common phrases related to support and empathy, while its universal theme of human connection makes it special and relatable across cultures.

[English]

Hmm... hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm

Hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm

Hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm

Sometimes in our lives

We all have pain

We all have sorrow

But if we are wise

We know that there's always tomorrow

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

Till 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

You 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'll understand

We all need somebody to lean on

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

Till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on

You 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'll understand

We all need somebody to lean on

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

Call me

If you need a friend

(Call me)

Call me (call me)

If you need a friend

(Call me)

If you ever need a friend

(Call me)

Call me

(Call me) Call me

(Call me) Call me

(Call me) Call me

(Call me)

If you need a friend

(Call me)

Call me

(Call me) Call me

(Call me) Call me

(Call me) Call me

(Call me)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
pain /peɪn/ B1	noun - physical suffering or discomfort
sorrow /ˈsɔːroʊ/ B2	noun - a feeling of deep distress caused by loss or disappointment
wise /waɪz/ B2	adjective - having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment
strong /strɔːŋ/ A2	adjective - having power or strength
friend /frɛnd/ A1	noun - a person whom one knows and has a bond of mutual affection
help /hɛlp/ A1	verb - to make it easier for someone to do something by offering one's services or resources
carry /ˈkæri/ A2	verb - to support and move someone or something from one place to another
need /niːd/ A1	verb - to require something because it is essential or very important
call /kɔːl/ A1	verb - to shout out or speak to someone in order to get their attention
load /loʊd/ B1	noun - a heavy or bulky thing that is being carried or transported
brother /ˈbrʌðər/ A2	noun - a male sibling
problem /ˈprɒbləm/ B1	noun - a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with
tomorrow /təˈmɒroʊ/ A2	noun - the day after today
pride /praɪd/ B2	noun - a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements

Key Grammar Structures

• Sometimes in our lives

  ➔ Present simple tense

  ➔ The phrase "Sometimes in our lives" uses the present simple tense to express a general truth.

• But if we are wise

  ➔ Conditional clause

  ➔ The phrase "But if we are wise" introduces a conditional clause that depends on the condition of being wise.

• Lean on me

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ The phrase "Lean on me" is in the imperative mood, giving a direct command or request.

• For it won't be long

  ➔ Future simple tense

  ➔ The phrase "For it won't be long" uses the future simple tense to indicate an event that will happen in the future.

• Please swallow your pride

  ➔ Polite request

  ➔ The phrase "Please swallow your pride" is a polite request asking someone to set aside their pride.

• You just call on me brother

  ➔ Direct address

  ➔ The phrase "You just call on me brother" uses direct address to speak to someone in a familiar way.

• If there is a load you have to bear

  ➔ Conditional clause

  ➔ The phrase "If there is a load you have to bear" introduces a conditional clause that describes a situation.