Brother? Can You Spare A Dime? - Abbey Lincoln

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 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?