Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?

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"Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" lyrics by Yip Harburg, music by Jay Gorney (1931)

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? Buddy, 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.
Say, don't you remember, I'm your pal? Buddy, can you spare a dime?

Channel: News & Politics
Uploaded: November 1, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Author: src66

Length: 00:03:10
Rating: 4.89
Views: 53309

Tags: Bing Crosby "Brother Can You Spare Dime?" Depression Recession

Video Comments:
pfoifry (November 15, 2008 at 11:46 pm)
It seems to me that most historians and economists agree that market intervention caused and prolonged the depression. If we continue to bail out failing businesses, inflation will rise and we go marching to another depression. The government cannot be trusted with solving this problem! END THE FED!
learetes (November 16, 2008 at 9:04 am)
So whats the deal ace are you a champion of
Capitalism without a moral leash or what, whats your point?
pfoifry (November 18, 2008 at 12:24 am)
I'm just a guy who refuses to begin sentences with conjunctions.
weezer543 (November 15, 2008 at 5:23 pm)
Milton Friedman is dead. Time to put a stake through his heart and kill off the supposedly Conservative ideas that drove us into this mess.
km1935 (November 12, 2008 at 7:43 pm)
History repeats itself!!!
TomMinderson (November 15, 2008 at 10:31 am)
(reply): No kidding, they STILL have not figured out bubbles. The "free trade" models are overly simplistic because they don't factor in risk very well. It's business lobbyists who promote "free trade" using outdated 1700 models, not real thinkers.
Jennysquib (November 10, 2008 at 1:53 am)
This has to be the best version of a powerful song - great stuff!
23brookside (November 8, 2008 at 6:01 pm)
Who can sing like this man? No one could do this song justice like Bing. One of the great musical introductions of popular music, as well as one of the most memorable of choruses.

Great sound on the recording, coupled with moving visuals. Thanks for the post. It reminds us that people are made of flesh, blood, and heart.
1512cd (October 29, 2008 at 6:33 pm)
Anyone foolish enough to wish for another FDR knows nothing of history. His Nationalization of industry, Union support and isolationism helped the Depression continue until a World War pulled the economy out. And next time, the War won't "Be Over There".
Angelalex242 (October 24, 2008 at 5:48 pm)
Heh. It looks like we're all gonna need to ask if you can spare a dime if the stock market goes down any further.