Brother Can You Spare A Dime lyrics

Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?
- words by Edgar `Yip` Harburg, music by Jay Gorney
- from the third (1932) edition of the hit Broadway revue `Americana`.
- Edgar `Yip` Harburg (1898-1981) was a former electrician made bankrupt
during the Depression.
- Jay Gorney (1896-1990) was a Russian-born American composer, author
and Hollywood film-producer.
- as recorded by Bing Crosby with Lennie Hayton & his Orchestra
October 25, 1932 in New York.

They used to tell me I was building a dream
And so I followed the mob
When their was earth to plow or guns to bear
I was always their 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 sloggin` 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 sloggin` 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?