They used to tell me I was building a dream
And so I followed them all
Where there was earth to plough or guns to bear
I was always there
Right out 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
Made it run
Made it race against time
Once I built a railroad
Now it's done
Buddy, can you spare a dime?
Once I built a tower to the sun
Built of brick and mortar and love
Once I built a tower
Now it's done
Buddy, can you spare a dime?
Once in khaki suits
Gee, we looked fine
All of that yankee-doodle-ee die
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?
