Written in 1931,
"Brother Can You Spare a Dime?" became the Bonus Army Anthem. Written by E.Y. Harburg, composed by Jay Gorney, and recorded by both Rudy Vallee and Bing Crosby, the song questions the precarious fate of all unemployed, making particular mention of the dire state faced by WWI veterans.
"Brother Can You Spare a Dime?"
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?
(Songs of the Great Depression, http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/cherries.html)