Question

Please help

1. Study the lyrics to this song from the Great Depression:
Once I built a railroad, made it run, Made it race against
time. Once I built a railroad, 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 marched straight
into Hell, I was the kid with the drum
- From "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"

How does this song compare life before and after the beginning of the Great
Depression? Why do you think the songwriter mentions the soldiers from
World War 1? (7 points)

Answer 1

In this song, we hear a beggar talking back to the system that has stolen his life and opportunities.

He refers to the time before the Great Depression as a time when "there was earth to plow, or guns to bear" so he could have a job. On the other hand, the time after is described as one of despair and hunger, with him having to stand in line to get some free bread. The reference to World War 1 represents the widespread idea of that war being a main catalyzer of the great depression, as the following debt, protectionism, and crippling reparations caused that global economic collapse.

Step-by-step explanation:

This song became an anthem for Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s election campaign due to its representation of the difficult times.