Many thanks, this was my father's favourite tune, he was in WW2 and was aware of the deep meaning and would sing it at New Year for me as a special treat - his name was Al too like in the song. I'd not heard this wonderful version before, we had the Crosby version on a 78, who my dad wasn't keen on, he preferred Al Bowlly. Abbey Lincoln is superb.
This song makes me think of the 1932 Bonus Marchers on Washington during the Hoover Administration. These WW One vets were promised a bonus for their military service, to be paid in 1945. Desperate for money, they demanded early payment. Instead, Hoover had the US Army chase the Marchers out of town.
Lyrics: They used to tell me I was building a dream And so I followed the mob When their was earth to plow or guns to bear I was always their 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-Doodly-dum Half a million boots went sloggin' 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-Doodly-dum Half a million boots went sloggin' through Hell And I was the kid with the drum Oh, say, don't you remember, they called me "Al" It was "Al" all the time Say, don't you remember, I'm your pal Buddy, can you spare a dime
This must be quite a few years ago, looks like Steve Coleman playing alto sax and much younger than he is now. There is a beautiful version with Stan Getz and Hank Jones which is the greatest rendition of this song I've ever heard. On this clip Abbey flubs the lyrics a few times, not sure how into the performance she was feeling.
Mere words can't describe her elegance, skill and beauty.
Many thanks, this was my father's favourite tune, he was in WW2 and was aware of the deep meaning and would sing it at New Year for me as a special treat - his name was Al too like in the song. I'd not heard this wonderful version before, we had the Crosby version on a 78, who my dad wasn't keen on, he preferred Al Bowlly. Abbey Lincoln is superb.
I love the way she sings it. Like it was wrote for her to sing.
Steve Coleman, alto sax; James Weidman, piano; Michael Bowie, bass; Mark Johnson, drums.
Thank you for the list of personnel. Knowing the accompanists is so important!
So true, thank you ❤...@@jensometimespaul
This song makes me think of the 1932 Bonus Marchers on Washington during the Hoover Administration. These WW One vets were promised a bonus for their military service, to be paid in 1945. Desperate for money, they demanded early payment. Instead, Hoover had the US Army chase the Marchers out of town.
Que buena versión, es un tema maravilloso!
Lyrics:
They used to tell me I was building a dream
And so I followed the mob
When their was earth to plow or guns to bear
I was always their 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-Doodly-dum
Half a million boots went sloggin' 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-Doodly-dum
Half a million boots went sloggin' through Hell
And I was the kid with the drum
Oh, say, don't you remember, they called me "Al"
It was "Al" all the time
Say, don't you remember, I'm your pal
Buddy, can you spare a dime
This must be quite a few years ago, looks like Steve Coleman playing alto sax and much younger than he is now. There is a beautiful version with Stan Getz and Hank Jones which is the greatest rendition of this song I've ever heard. On this clip Abbey flubs the lyrics a few times, not sure how into the performance she was feeling.
We miss her!
" An Essay on...
To err is human, to forgive divine."
What concert is this? What year?
Yes!
It would be more effective if I t was gun instead of drum. Line instead of lime. But hey, I'm not a lyricist.
Drum is for being a musician to sing of life’s fate and lime is for the English soldiers