Brother can you spare a dime?

(This song needs a masculine rough scratchy voice.  In researching this; Judy Collin s & George Michael did a disservice to the song with their beautiful melodious voices) 

Looking for Beggar pictures there are thousands,  but this was a shock and interesting.

See story of the blonde Mexican beggar child

Back to the song.  As is known there will always be beggars, even in good times,  but I still like the song as a humane humble plea for mercy,  tugs at the heart, no?

"Business leaders tried to have it banned from the radio, viewing the song as "a dangerous attack on the American economic system". They were unsuccessful due to the song's popularity. "The song so lacerated the national conscience that radio stations banned it" for being "sympathetic to the unemployed"." Bastards.....that felt good.

Wikipedia

Bing Crosby with Lyrics

Abbey Lincoln 

Lyrics

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 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 doodly 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?