Brother Can You Spare Dime

They used to tell me I was building a dream
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, 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 to the sun
Brick, mortar 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 marching through hell,
And I was a kid with a drum....

Brother, can you spare a dime?

When this was written, the "railroad racing against time" and "tower to the sun" (New York skyscrapers) were the bee's knees, the biggest and brightest that Money could produce with small people's labor. Then the small people were cast aside.

Tough times; it's not just for "those people" any more.