lean on me

[Nefertiti]

Hi there.

"I'll help you carry on, for it won't be long 'til I'm gonna need somebody".

1. Does 'carry on' mean continue your life or make your life keep on going.



"Please swallow your pride, if I have things you need to borrow".

2. 'Things' seemed to be 'faiths' when I heard the song. Can someone confirm?



"You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand"

3. What does 'call on me' mean? Is it a common usage?



"I'm right up the road, I'll share your load if you just call me".

4. What does 'I'm right up the road' mean? Is it a common usage?

5. Does 'call' mean 'make a phone call'?



Thanks in advance.

___________
The Song

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 'til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on.
Please swallow your pride, if I have things (--> faiths) ? 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'd 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.
I just might have a problem that you'd 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
(Repeat Until Fade)

[Ouisch]

Originally Posted by Nefertiti

Hi there.

"I'll help you carry on, for it won't be long 'til I'm gonna need somebody".

1. Does 'carry on' mean continue your life or make your life keep on going.

Yes. To continue on with your daily activities, and with life in general.

"Please swallow your pride, if I have things you need to borrow".

2. 'Things' seemed to be 'faiths' when I heard the song. Can someone confirm?

No. "Things" here means actual objects, whether it's money or a cup of sugar or a hammer. Something that your neighbor has that you don't.

"You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand"

3. What does 'call on me' mean? Is it a common usage?

"Call on me" means to ask me. Either in person or via telephone, however. It's fairly common usage. "If you need anything, you know you can always call on me."

'm right up the road, I'll share your load if you just call me".

4. What does 'I'm right up the road' mean? Is it a common usage?

5. Does 'call' mean 'make a phone call'?

"Right up the road" means that he lives nearby. Technically, it would mean that he lives on the same street as you, but a few houses away. In general, though, we'll say "right up the road" to indicate a place that is nearby. Yes, it's commonly used. And "call me" in this example means either via telephone or to stop by in person and ask for help.


I love this song, by the way. Did you know that Bill Withers, the man who wrote and sang it, used to work for Boeing Aircraft, installing toilets on airplanes? He wrote this song while at work, thinking of the way his co-workers always helped each other out.

[Nefertiti]

Hi, Ouisch.

Thank you for sharing the story. I'm glad you like the song.