Ten years ago, we were in the beginnings of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. I heard the late Daniel Schorr on NPR discussing the song “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” as I drove home one day.
I went home and wrote this 2008 version of that minor-keyed lament. I found it last week. Ten years ago. Seems like yesterday. Seems like another lifetime.
Brother, can you spare a dime?
(2008 version)
Used to be a builder, did just fine
Financed those houses, with subprime
Now foreclosures looming all the time
Make my coffin cheaply out of pine
Brother, can you spare a dime?
Zombie bank won’t lend to anyone
Credenza repossessed just for fun
Paulson, Goldman, Lehman, sons of a gun
Geithner and Bernake only bailout some
China call your mark, and then we’re done
Brother, can you spare a dime?
TARP and mortgage crisis now
Watching old Wachovia tank the Dow
Credit for none; I’ll trade my cow
Credit default swap anyhow
Brother, can you spare a dime?
Dad, what's for supper? 