Lyrics Page
Lean On Me
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Jul 15, 2026 updated
Verified editorial review
Kirk Franklin's 'Lean on Me' is a gospel song featuring Bono, R. Kelly, Crystal Lewis, and Mary J. Blige. It addresses social issues like homelessness, illness, and fatherlessness, offering comfort and solidarity. The lyrics emphasize being present for others in their struggles, reflecting the biblical principle of bearing one another's burdens. The song encourages listeners to open their hearts and lean on each other, pointing to Jesus as the ultimate source of love and support.
Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team
[Bono] Oooooohhh
[Kirk] This is for that little child with no father
For that man that doesn't have a place to stay
For that little boy living with AIDS
[R. Kelly] let me tell you a story, tell you a story
[Kirk] You can lean on me
[R. Kelly] There's a man (oh yes)
Standing on the corner
He has no home
He has no food
And his blue skies are gone (yes it is)
Can't you hear him cryin' out
[Crystal Lewis] He met a girl
Searching for a father like a friend
Praying that the storm someday will end
But instead of walking away
Open up your heart and say
[Chorus:]
[Choir] I am here
You don't have to worry
I can see...
[Kirk] I can see your tears
[Choir] ....your tears
I'll be there in a hurry when you call
[Kirk] Yes I will
[Choir] Friends are there to catch you when you fall
[Kirk] Here's my shoulder
[Choir] Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me
[Kirk] halleluia
[Mary J. Blige] Ooooohhhhh
[Kirk] Listen
[Mary J. Blige] Oh, there's a child
Who is sick and begging to be free
But there is no cure for his disease
He looks up to his mother and
[Choir] As she hold (holds), his hand (hand)
[Bono] Prayin' that someday
The sun will shine again
[Kirk] And the pain?
[Choir] And the pain will end
[Kirk] Pain will end....Come on
[Choir] I am here
[Mary J. Blige] I am here
[Choir] You don't have to worry
[Mary J. Blige] You don't have to worry
[Choir] I can see...
[Mary J. Blige] I see...
[Choir] ....your tears
[Mary J. Blige] ....your tears, yeah
[Choir] I'll be there in a hurry when you call
[Mary J. Blige] I'll be there in a hurry when you call
[Choir] Friends are there to catch you when you fall
[Mary J. Blige] I'm your friend and I'll catch you when, when, when you fall
[Choir] Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me
[Mary J. Blige] Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me
[Bridge:]
[R. Kelly] Tell me, how can I, how can I love Jesus
When I've never seen His face
[Bono] Yeah, I see you dying
[Crystal Lewis[ And I turn and walk away
[Crystal] So hold my hand
[Mary J. Blige] Oooooohhhhh
[Bono] Let me take you to a friend of mine
[R. Kelly] He's waiting just to ease your troubled mind
[Kirk] Yeah, yeah, He loves you more than you'll ever know
[Bono] 'Stead of walking away
[Kirk] Open up
[Crystal Lewis] Open up your heart and say
[Kirk] Come on
[Chorus:]
[Choir] I am here
[R. Kelly] I am here
[Choir] You don't have to worry
I can see your tears
I'll be there in a hurry when you call
[Kirk] Alleluia
[Choir] Aaaaaaah
[Tamila Mann - Family] When you call, friends will be there to catch you when, catch you when you fall
[Choir] Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me
[Dalon Collins - Family] Thank you Jesus, yeah
[R. Kelly] OhYeah, oh yeah
[Choir] Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me
Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me
[Bono] You can lean on me
[R. Kelly] Lean on me, yeah, yeah Intro
[Bono] Oooooohhh
[Kirk] This is for that little child with no father
For that man that doesn't have a place to stay
For that little boy living with AIDS
[R. Kelly] Can I tell you a story, tell you a story
[Kirk] You can lean on me