Can You Spare A Dime?

Can You Spare A Dime?

Gregg Metcalf

September 14, 2013

(to the tune of Johnny Cash's Long Black Veil)

Hey man, can you spare a dime

For a guy who’s hun-gry all the time

If you buy me a bur-ger and a beer

I’ll tell a story you might want to hear

I once had a wife and a baby son

I had a home when my work was done

I paid my taxes and I lived the dream

I had all I needed or so it might seem

Then one day Uncle Sam said I want you

I felt so proud to pay my patriotic due

They sent me to Iraq and gave me a gun

I fought in the sand ‘neath the blistering sun

The days were long and didn’t seem to end

I fought the enemy even though they were men

We did our job – tried to stay out of harm

I grew numb each time a buddy bought the farm

Each time I could I’d lay down to dream

Of a life that was disappearing it seems

Each man I killed made me hollow and gaunt

But fight this war was what you all want

Then one day a bullet tore through my head

I should have died but I lived in stead

I clung to life with an addled brain

Doctors said I would never be sane

Uncle Sam sent me home a broken man

My wife couldn’t cope she didn’t understand

She took my son and left me all alone

Now I have nothing left I can call my own

Now I hold a sign that says I’ll work for food

I really don’t want to I just want some booze

Don’t spit on me I’m not a threat any more

I just went and fought in a politicians war

Where’s Uncle Sam when you need him most

Where’s the love for soldiers that you all boast

I fought your battles and I lost everything

I live in the street while you live like a king

Hey man, can you spare a dime

For a guy who’s hun-gry all the time

If you buy me a bur-ger and a beer

I’ll tell a story you might want to hear