Brother Can You Spare A Dime
Tim O'Brien
Album same name
Banjo tuned E, Key of C Capo 3
C G7
They used to tell me I was building a dream
F
And so I followed the mob.
C F
When there was earth to plow or guns to bear,
G7
I was always there, right on the job.
C G7
They used to tell me I was building a dream
F
With peace and glory ahead --
G7 C
Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread?
C F
Once I built a railroad, I made it run,
C
Made it race against time.
F
Once I built a railroad, now it's done --
G7 C
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-de-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 --
Say, buddy, can you spare a dime?
Once in khaki suits, ah, gee, we looked swell
Full of that Yankee Doodle-de-dum.
Half a million boots went slogging through hell,
And I was the kid with the drum.