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   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 slogging 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?