[male
vocals] (
Soft
acoustic
guitar
picking,
gentle
rain-stick
percussion)
CARRY
YOURSELF
[INTRO – Spoken gently] My
father
once
told
me: "
My
son,
when
someone
is
carrying
you,
learn
to
carry
yourself."
I
thought
he
was
talking
about
someone
carrying
another
on
his
back.
But
as
I
grew
older...
I
understood.
He
was
talking
about
life.
[VERSE 1] When
somebody
lifts
you
on
his
shoulders,
Don't
hang
there
like
a
heavy
load,
Hold
yourself
and
find
your
balance,
Help
him
as
he
walks
the
road.
When
a
hand
appears
to
help
you,
Don't
make
that
hand
do
everything,
Even
when
another
man
is
carrying
you,
Carry
some
of
your
weight
with
him.
Help
was
never
meant
for
sleeping
On
the
shoulders
of
another
man,
Let
the
help
you
get
today
Prepare
your
feet
tomorrow
to
stand.
[CHORUS] Carry
yourself
When
somebody
carries
you.
Lighten
the
load
Of
the
one
who's
helping
you.
Take
a
little,
Give
a
little
too.
Honour
every
hand
That
reaches
out
to
you.
Carry
yourself...
Carry
yourself...
Carry
yourself...
Carry
yourself...
Even
when
somebody
carries
you,
Learn
to
carry
yourself.
[VERSE 2] My
father
said, "
When
you
visit,
Watch
the
faces
when
you
come
again."
If
the
smiles
are
warm
and
plenty,
You
have
probably
left
a
friend.
But
if
foreheads
start
to
tighten,
And
the
welcome
isn't
quite
the
same,
Maybe
something
from
your
last
visit
Left
behind
a
little
strain.
The
food
they
gave
may
not
be
plenty,
The
water
too
may
have
a
cost,
So
never
take
someone's
kindness
Without
remembering
what
they
lost.
[CHORUS] Carry
yourself
When
somebody
carries
you.
Lighten
the
load
Lighten
the
load
Of
the
one
who's
helping
you.
Take
a
little,
Give
a
little
too.
Take
a
little,
Give
a
little
too!
Honour
every
hand
That
reaches
out
to
you!
Carry
yourself!
Carry
yourself!
Carry
yourself...
Carry
yourself...
Even
when
somebody
carries
you,
Learn
to
carry
yourself.
[VERSE 3] My
father
said, "
When
you
are
leaving,
Think
about
what
they
spent
on
you."
Not
because
you
pay
for
kindness,
But
appreciate
the
things
they
do.
Leave
something
quietly
for
the
children,
Or
the
hands
that
served
your
food,
Not
because
you're
buying
friendship,
But
to
show
you
understood.
For
gratitude
is
more
than
saying, "
Thank
you,
thank
you,
my
good
friend."
It's
leaving
someone's
open
doorway
With
a
reason
to
open
again.
[BRIDGE – Music softens] Never
become
Someone's
silent
burden.
But
don't
be
ashamed
When
you
need
a
helping
hand.
When
you
need
a
helping
hand.
Independence
doesn't
mean
Walking
every
road
alone.
Sometimes...
We
all
need
somebody
To
carry
us.
But
while
they
carry
you...
Learn
to
stand.
[BACKING VOCALS] Learn
to
stand...
Learn
to
stand...
Carry
yourself...
[FINAL CHORUS – Full choir] Carry
yourself!
When
somebody
carries
you!
Lighten
the
load
Of
the
one
who's
helping
you!
Take
a
little,
Give
a
little
too!
Take
a
little,
Give
a
little
too!
Honour
every
hand
That
reaches
out
to
you!
Carry
yourself!
Carry
yourself!
And
when
your
feet
become
strong
enough...
Carry
somebody
too!
[CALL AND RESPONSE] Lead:
When
somebody
helps
you?
Choir:
Honour
the
help!
Lead:
When
somebody
carries
you?
Choir:
Carry
yourself!
Lead:
Must
we
refuse
help?
Choir:
No,
no,
no!
Lead:
Must
we
become
a
burden?
Choir:
No,
no,
no!
Lead:
When
your
feet
become
stronger?
Choir:
Help
somebody
too!
Lead:
What
did
Papa
say?
Choir:
CARRY
YOURSELF!
Lead:
One
more
time!
Choir:
CARRY
YOURSELF!
[OUTRO – Spoken softly] My
father
taught
me:
True
independence
Is
not
refusing
help.
It
is
honouring
help.
When
somebody
carries
you,
Hold
yourself.
Find
your
balance.
Lighten
the
burden.
And
while
you
are
being
carried...
Learn
to
carry
yourself.
Then
one
day...
When
your
own
legs
are
strong...
Carry
somebody
too.