Songs as Sources: The Great Depression

Lyrics: Brother Can You Spare a Dime (1931)
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 Doodly 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?
 Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell,
Full of that Yankee Doodly 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.
Say, don't you remember, I'm your pal? Buddy, can you spare a dime?
 

Lyrics: Happy Days are Here Again (1930)
So long sad times
Go along bad times
We are rid of you at last
Howdy
gay times
Cloudy gray times
You are now a thing of the past
Happy days
are here again
The skies above are clear again
So let's sing a song of
cheer again
Happy days are here again
Altogether shout it now
There's
no one
Who can doubt it now
So let's tell the world about it now
Happy
days are here again
Your cares and troubles are gone
There'll be no more
from now on
From now on...
Happy days are here again
The skies above
are clear again
So, Let's sing a song of cheer again
Happy times
Happy
nights
Happy days
Are here again!

Lyrics: We're in the Money (1933)
We're in the money, we're in the money;
We've got a lot of what it takes to get along!
We're in the money, that sky is sunny,
Old Man Depression you are through, you done us wrong.

We never see a headline about breadlines today.
And when we see the landlord we can look that guy right in the eye
We're in the money, come on, my honey,
Let's lend it, spend it, send it rolling along.

Oh, yes we're in the money, you bet we're in the money,
We've got a lot of what it takes to get along!
Let's go we're in the money, Look up the skies are sunny,
Old Man Depression you are through, you done us wrong.

We never see a headline about breadlines today.
And when we see the landlord we can look that guy right in the eye
We're in the money, come on, my honey,
Let's lend it, spend it, send it rolling along!