Brother, Can You Spare A Dime

Album: Portrait Of Bing Crosby (1932)
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  • 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 and rivet 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-Doodly-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
    Why don't you remember, I'm your pal
    Say buddy, can you spare a dime

    Once in khaki suits, ah gee we looked swell
    Full of that Yankee-Doodly-dum
    Half a million boots went slogging through Hell
    And I was the kid with the drum

    Oh, say, don't you remember, they called me "Al"
    It was "Al" all the time
    Say, don't you remember, I'm your pal
    Buddy, can you spare a dime Writer/s: E. Y. Harburg, Jay Gorney
    Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., NEXT DECADE ENTERTAINMENT,INC., Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 5

  • Anthony from Guadalupe, AzThe phrase,"Brother, can you spare a dime" is in the hit song by the O'Jays ("For The Love Of Money"... another song that should be on this list about money problems).
  • Randy from Houghton Lake, MiMandy Patinkin came out with Tony Randall doing a bit about a guy that had to practice a song and sang this on David Letterman back in the 80s or early 90s. The audience was totally blown away so was I.
  • Heather from Los Angeles, CaGreat Steve, congrats. Got nothing to do with the song, but congrats. He's my uncle too.
  • Old Pierce from Livonia, MiAlso, this is by no means the first ever protest song. They were writing them at least as far back as the 1700's (historical records showing) and have more than likely been for thousands of years. Can you imagine musicians under Roman slavery not writing protest songs to sing amongst themselves? Also consider David's Psalms. Are not some of them protest songs?
  • Steve from Chiang Mai, ThailandThe name is Jay Gorney. And he is father of Karen Gorney. And Jay Gorney is also famous for discovering Shirley Temple. And he is my UNCLE!
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