Sue Bird and her girlfriend Megan Rapinoe’s latest Instagram Live video is something magical to behold. This is at least the 2nd Saturday night that the WNBA and USWNT stars have been sharing stories via webcam during this coronavirus crisis, and just like last weekend, they sang a song together while observing the #StayHome guidelines.
This duet paid tribute to the late Bill Withers, who died Monday of heart complications. He was 81. Withers’ souful classic, “Lean On Me,” is music for the downtrodden, lifting up those who have lost their way or are ready to abandon hope. It carries the message that we are not as alone as we believe, that there is someone to help us shoulder our burdens.
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
What a gift this is from Rapinoe and Bird. Thank you!
Needed this! Sue & Megan singing 'Lean On Me'. 💕 pic.twitter.com/qX3Moc3b76
— WSLAM (@wslam) April 5, 2020
Our thanks to @WSLAM, the Twitter account for Women’s Hoops by @slamonline, for this clip. You’ll find other clips on both Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird’s Instagram accounts, too, but this was one of the most complete ones we’ve found.
Here are the full lyrics, and below that, a clip from the 2015 Rock N Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Bill Withers, featuring John Legend, Stevie Wonder and Withers himself.
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
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 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
’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’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, uh-huh
Call me when 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