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 there 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
I made it run against time
Once I built a railroad and now it's done
Buddy, can you spare a dime?

Once I built a tower way up to the sun
With bricks and mortar and lime
Once I built a railroad and now it's done
Buddy, can you spare a dime?

Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell
Full of that yankee-doodlee-dum
A half-a-million boots went sloggin' through hell
I was the kid with the drum

Oh say, don't you remember? You called me Al
It was Al all the time
Say don't you remember? I was your pal
Buddy, can you spare a dime?
Say, don't you remember? You called me Al
It was Al all the time
Say don't you remember? I was your pal
Buddy, can you spare a dime?
Buddy, can you spare a dime?