Buddy, can you spare a dime?

Funny how a song can be for so many periods and represent so many different countries. I have always loved this song - it's American but could be for Russia, China, Europe Asia everywhere really - where good hearted people trusted governement and tried to live honest lives. I cannot think of a song more appropriate for the workers of the world right now.

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 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 dum
Half a million boots went sloggin' through hell
And I was the kid with a 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?

Video by Spanky here.

Peter Yarrow version here.

1933 pictures here.

Article on the Depression here.