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Brother can you spare a dime

from The Word is the Music the People are the Song by Bruce Hearn

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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    This debut solo double album features one album of ten original songs and another album, comprising ten covers of Bruce's favourite folk songs.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Word is the Music the People are the Song via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days

      $70 AUD or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    A double CD with one CD of original songs and one CD of Bruce's interpretation of the folk songs which inspired him in his youth.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Word is the Music the People are the Song via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days

      $40 AUD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 AUD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

One of the greatest songs ever written. First recorded in 1932 at the height of the great Depression.

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 build a railroad -- now it's done.
Brother, can you spare a dime?

Once I built a tower up to the sun,
Bricks and mortar and lime;
Once I build 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 sloggin' through Hell
I was the kid with the drum.

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

credits

from The Word is the Music the People are the Song, track released July 29, 2020
Words by Yip Harburg, music by Jay Gorney

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Bruce Hearn image

Bruce Hearn Melbourne, Australia

Bruce Hearn has fronted the iconic Melbourne ska band, Strange Tenants, since 1981, with a back catalogue of 8 albums.
At heart however, he is a masterful singer/song writer, guitarist, banjo and harmonica player, and 2020 sees him releasing not one, but 2 double albums of original and iconic folk songs. His motto has always been 'if you don't stand for something, you stand for nothing'! ... more

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