Name ______
"Brother, Can You Spare a Dime" by Yip Harburg
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 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?
1) What are some of the ways that “Al” has contributed to his country? List them.
2) “Al” mentions “Full of that Yankee Doodle-de-dum.” This line is in reference to a popular Revolutionary War song. (the war when our country got its independence from Britain) Why do you think he mentions it? Complete sentence.
3) What type of person do you think “Al” was before the great Depression? Complete sentence.
4) How would you describe his personality after the Great Depression? Complete sentence.
5) Why do you think he changed? Complete sentence.
6) Who is this song supposed to appeal to? Why?
7) What do you think the main point of this song is? Please, do not tell me he needs a dime!!!
8) Write a short response to hearing the song and seeing the pictures. How does this song better help you understand the Great Depression?