This is a song about how people got caught up in building a new country, creating a land of opportunity, skyscrapers, railroads, and cities. They fought in wars, tramping through the bullets and mud to protect its freedoms, but were cast aside when they were no longer needed. Yip Harburg had also written the lyrics to ALL the songs in the Wizard of Oz, and several other tin pan alley classics, but was blacklisted during the McCarthy Era for being a socialist.
You can read a potted history of Yip Harburg here
https://sandiegofreepress.org/2016/10/e-y-yip-harburg/
[Intro] Am E7 E7 E7
Am Dm6 E E7
They used to tell me I was building a dream
Am Dm6
And so I followed the mob.
Am Dm6
When there was earth to plow or guns to bear,
E E7
I was always there, right on the job...
Am Dm6 E E7
They used to tell me I was building a dream
Am Dm6
With peace and glory ahead
Am Am/C E Am Dm6 E E7
Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread?
Am E7 A7
Once I built a railroad, made it run,
D G7 C E7
Made it race against time;
Dm/F E7 Am F7
Once I build a railroad -- now it's done.
Dm6 E7 Am
Brother, can you spare a dime?
Am E7 A7
Once I built a tower to the sun,
D G7 C E7
Brick and rivet and lime;
Dm/F E7 Am F7
Once I build a tower now it's done.
Dm6 E7 Am
Brother, can you spare a dime?
A7
Once, in khaki suits, gee, we looked swell,
Gm6 A7
Full of that Yankee Doodle de-dum;
D7
Half a million boots went sloggin' through Hell
Am F7 E7
I was the kid with the drum.
Am E7 A7
Say, don't you remember, they called me Al?
D G7 C E7
It was Al all the time.
Dm/F E7 Am F7
Say, don't you remember? I'm your pal.
Dm6 E7 Am
Buddy can you spare a dime?
Cover by Alex Francis
Sunday 7 January 2018
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