Throughout the years, and changing line-ups, the group maintained a strong fan-base among jazz fans of all ages.
brother can you spare a dime
The Dave Brubeck Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 Doodle Dee 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 Doodle Dee 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?
The song "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" is a powerful ballad that captures the desperation and struggle of the American working class during the Great Depression. The lyrics reflect the disillusionment and despair of a man who once believed in the American Dream but has now fallen on hard times. The singer tells of following the mob, always being on the job, building a dream of peace and glory, only to end up standing in line waiting for bread. He reminisces about his past accomplishments, building a railroad and a tower but now they are both done. He also recalls his time in the army, when he and his fellow soldiers marched through hell and he was just a young boy with a drum.
Throughout the song, the singer appeals to his fellow man, asking for help and support. He asks "Brother, can you spare a dime?" and makes it clear that he once was a part of a larger community, calling someone he used to know, Al, and asking "Why don't you remember? I'm your pal." The song is a melancholic call for unity and empathy during a time of great hardship, and it touches on many themes that are still relevant today, including the struggle for economic justice, the value of hard work and sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
They Used To Tell Me
People used to tell me
I Was Building A Dream
that I was creating something great
And So I Followed The Mob
So I went along with the crowd
When There Was Earth To Plow
Whether there was land to farm
Or Guns To Bear
or duty to defend the country
I Was Always There
I was always present
Right On The Job
Working hard
With Peace And Glory Ahead
Promising a future of harmony and success
Why Should I Be Standing In Line
Why should I wait in a queue
Just Waiting For Bread?
to receive basic food requirements?
Once I Built A Railroad
I constructed a train track
I Made It Run
I operated it successfully
Made It Race Against Time
Made the track complete on tight deadlines
Now It's Done
But now it’s finished
Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
Can you donate one coin?
Once I Built A Tower Up To The Sun
I built a towering, impressive structure
Brick And Rivet And Lime
Constructed with bricks, metal fasteners and lime
Once I Built A Tower
The one I built before, now in ruins
Now It's Done
It's no longer exists
Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
Can you spare me a coin, please?
Once In Khaki Suits
In military fatigues, we once were
Gee We Looked Swell
We looked pretty dapper
Full Of That Yankee Doodle Dee Dum
proud and patriotic feelings
Half A Million Boots Went Sloggin' Through Hell
500,000 boots trudged through tough times
And I Was The Kid With The Drum!
And I was the drummer boy
Say Don't You Remember?
Hey, don't you recall?
They Called Me Al
I had a name - Al
It Was Al All The Time
My friends only addressed me by that name
Why Don't You Remember?
How come you can't remember me
I'm Your Pal
I'm your faithful friend
Buddy Can You Spare A Dime?
Could you afford to give me some money?
Writer(s): E Harburg, Jay Gorney
Contributed by Caroline T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
vwbug1971
When I was in college (72-80), I went to a concert to hear Brubeck. I was overcome with awe at the group's tight sound and impressive leads. This is an example of what I heard that night, a wonderful rendition of a song from a time period that caused great depression and loss. They play the more upbeat section representing patriotism, God and apple pie, impressively.
My Name Is Victoria Winters
you really took a long assed time getting through college ... maybe you needed a few more nights studying and not out at concerts
ᗩᑎGEᒪIᑎᗩ
@My Name Is Victoria Winters Ha ha ha ha ha. Good one.
Mert Lassonde
Makes me want to cry. Love those guys.
Felipe de J. Cervera
Love them too
Bas Monydi
Would be great to have the notes of the improvised 'melody' as played by Paul Desmond., would like to play it on the piano
John Benn
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The greatest jazz quartet of all time.
From a 72yo Aussie fan.
David Rixon
another aussie fan here too
lakis diakogiannis
BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE A DIME(Harburg-Gorney) from:Dave Brubeck Quartet:”Brubeck Time”. EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! with this music of Dave & Paul I started to learn alto and I play until now (I am 70). 100% jazz!!!
killian mcphillips
lakis diakogiannis to