Brother, can you spare me a dime?

ترانه‌ی ال جالسون تحت عنوان برادر می توانی یک ده سنتی ببخشی؟ از آن ترانه‌هایی است که قلب ضعیف کسیی مثل من را جریحه دار کند و چشمان تشنه‌ام را به قطره اشکی مهمان. 

ترانه در سال  ۱۹۳۲ در اوج رکود بزرگ اقتصادی آمریکا سروده شده و با ظرافت و سادگی دردهای طبقه‌ی کارگر را در دوره‌های سخت یادآوری می کند. ترانه از آن پس به عنوان سرود نمادین رکود اقتصادی شناخته می شود. رکودی که وقتی رخ می دهد صدمه ای به ثروتمندان نمی زند اما ضعیفان را خرد می کند.

  Brother, can you spare me a dime?

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?

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.

Say, don't you remember they called me Al,
It was Al all the time.
Why don't you remember, I'm your pal --
Buddy, can you spare a dime?