Brother Can You Spare A Dime
Abbey Lincoln feat. Stan Getz Lyrics
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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
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
The song "Brother Can You Spare A Dime" is a poignant and emotional commentary on the Great Depression and the American Dream. The lyrics speak of a man who was once a hard worker, building railroads and towers, and serving his country in war. He was promised a future of peace and glory, but instead finds himself standing in line begging for food. The chorus repeats the line "Brother, can you spare a dime?", a question that echoes the desperate plight of millions of Americans during the Depression.
The song speaks to the disillusionment of the American working class in the face of economic hardship and broken promises. The man in the lyrics is asking his former peers for help, declaring his past sacrifices and service, and appealing to their shared humanity. The imagery of once-great structures now abandoned creates a sense of loss and despair that still resonates today.
Overall, "Brother Can You Spare A Dime" is a powerful social commentary on the human cost of economic hardship and inequality. It speaks to the timeless struggle of ordinary people in the face of systemic injustice and exploitation.
Line by Line Meaning
They used to tell me I was building a dream
They used to make me believe that I was working towards a greater future.
And so I followed the mob
I blindly followed what everyone else was doing.
When there was earth to plow or guns to bear
Whenever there was work to be done or war to be fought, I was there to do my part.
I was always there right on the job
I was always working hard and doing what was needed.
With peace and glory ahead
I thought that a bright and peaceful future was on the horizon.
Why should I be standing in line
I shouldn't have to wait in line for basic necessities like food.
Just waiting for bread
It's unfair that I have to wait in line for something as simple as bread.
Once I built a railroad, I made it run
I worked hard to build a railway and put it into operation.
Made it race against time
I made the railway run as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Now it's done
But now it's finished and I have nothing to show for it.
Brother, can you spare a dime
Can you help me out now that I'm struggling?
Once I built a tower up to the sun
I worked hard to build a tower that reached high into the sky.
Brick and rivet and lime
I used bricks, rivets, and lime to construct the tower.
Say, don't you remember, they called me "Al"
Hey, do you remember when people used to call me 'Al'?
It was "Al" all the time
That's what everyone called me back then.
Why don't you remember, I'm your pal
Don't you remember that we're friends?
Buddy, can you spare a dime
Can you lend me some money to help me get by?
Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell
We looked great in our military uniforms.
Full of that Yankee-Doodly-dum
We were filled with patriotic energy and enthusiasm.
Half a million boots went slogging through Hell
We went through a lot of pain and suffering during the war.
And I was the kid with the drum
I was the one with the drum, helping to keep spirits high during the war.
Lyrics © NEXT DECADE ENTERTAINMENT,INC.
Written by: E. Y. Harburg, Jay Gorney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jurisfootrag
I hear this at work all the time and was having no luck finding this version; there are soooooo many covers.... Thank you, Shazam and modern technology 😁😁
@onlyconnect6674
Her AMAZING comeback album..still one of the best..her last refrain capture the pain and anguish of the forgotten worker. So grateful to have seen her perform live.
@ronaldmartin471
It is impossible to listen to Abbey just as background music. Her lyricism and musical delivery of the words make you want to listen and dream with her!
@wfberan
Just a shattering performance by the great Ms Lincoln, the Billie Holiday of her era. Never fails to send chills up my spine.
@medialawprof
The great Abbey Lincoln and Stan Getz with superstars accompanying them. Par excellence!!
@tamarajohnson5771
Rainy evening, glass of wine and Abbey singing the background, perfect
@bruce9209
I've owned this album for 25 years or so and it's still one of my favorites. Every track is flawless. I especially love this one.
@bmrph316
Totally agree with this, have also had this forever. Don't forget Stan Getz. He does some amazing playing on this album, a great pairing.
@royalhartigan
abbey, you give us life, sounds, heart, and visions beyond, always, in spirit and music, royal
@albertbrown359
Abbey sings to me every day!