“Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”
Written in 1932 by Yip Harburg and Jay Gorney for the show New Americana, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” became one of the anthems of the Great Depression. The singer expresses his cynicism and disillusionment with the country. Gone are the patriotic themes of Yankee Doodle Dandy that were widespread throughout Broadway in the post-World War I years leading up to the stock market crash. Instead, the singer here bemoans the fact that he helped build this country and bought into the idea of the “American dream” and now feels his country has forsaken him.
Please read through the lyrics then give the song a listen. I’m including the version sung by Al Jolson, although the Bing Crosby version may be better known now.
“Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”
They used to tell me I was building a dream
And so I followed the mob
When there was earth to plow or guns to bear
I was always there, right on the job
They used to tell me I was building a dream
With peace and glory ahead
Why should I be standing in line
Just waiting for bread?
Once I built a railroad, I made it run
Made it race against time
Once I built a railroad, now it’s done
Brother, can you spare a dime?
Once I built a tower up to the sun
Brick, mortar, and lime
Once I built a tower, now it’s done
Brother, can you spare a dime?
Once in khaki suits, gee, we looked swell
Full of that “Yankee Doodley Dum”
Half a million boots went slogging through Hell
And I was the kid with the drum
Say, don’t you remember? They called me ‘Al’
It was ‘Al’ all the time
Say, don’t you remember? I’m your pal
Say buddy, can you spare a dime?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F4yT0KAMyo[/youtube]