The Inspiration Behind the Song Lean On Me

We have seen a lot of violence in the last few weeks as the American world has been stirred to protest over the death of George Floyd. His death, following on the heels of the death of Ahmaud Arbery, are the two most recent examples of the extreme results of racial attitudes in the US. The roots of these attitudes go back centuries.

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

We’ve seen many videos of police violence posted on social media. We’ve seen many videos of rioting and looting in response. These constant reminders in the news fixate us on the violent side of humanity. In the meantime, we continue to wrestle with the isolation and fear of COVID-19 and economic recession.

If they make us uncomfortable, that’s probably good thing. If they stir up fear and anger, not so much.

The violent videos remind me that violence is not the answer. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was clear on that (though he warned that violence would continue as long as racial injustice continued). Darkness cannot drive out the darkness.

Long term light and love is what we need – the light of understanding and the love of God who made us all in HIs image.

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

Violence, fear and anger beget more of the same. Once the fire is lit, there’s no telling what will be destroyed in the process. Controlled fire can be used to our advantage, but fire burning out of control and uncontained does not discriminate in its destruction.

Just as violence destroys, love builds up. Love and understanding is something we can build on.

I was thinking about these things as I was listening to NPR on my way to a legal aid clinic I supervise once a month. The topic of discussion was the life of Bill Withers, the great songwriter of the 1970’s. Many people have covered his iconic songs.

Bill Withers died recently at the age of 81. His inspiration behind the song, Lean On Me, is what inspires me today in light of what is going on in the world.

In the NPR segment, I learned that Bill Withers grew up in rural West Virginia where, he said, people helped each other. The story behind the message and the meaning of the song, however, comes from the Deep South.

Withers said he was driving through rural Alabama in a car with tread worn tires when one of the tires blew. He was in the middle of nowhere, and he didn’t have a spare.

As he was sitting there stranded in the State a where George Wallace, was governor, Jim Crow laws and attitudes were rooted still, and civil rights clashes were increasing in urgency and violence, he saw a large white man approaching him on the dusty road. the man looked like someone right out of the movie, Deliverance.

Naturally, Bill felt uneasy as the man lumbered toward him, closer and closer. When he finally arrived, the conversation was brief as the man surveyed the situation. Then, he said he would be “right back”.

Without explanation, Bill Withers didn’t know the man’s intensions or what to expect next. He could do little but wait for the man’s return. What could he do? He was stuck. He was helpless.

After an anxious time, he saw the man trudging back over the hill. In his arms, he was carrying a tire.

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

The man helped the singer put the tire on his car. Few words were spoken, but the words weren’t necessary. The generosity and kindness of a strange man in the middle of nowhere Alabama said it all.

An act of love and kindness can make a lifetime of difference. This experience inspired bill Withers to pen legendary these words:

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
‘Til 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

The world would be a much better place if we learned to lean on each other.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal. 6:2)