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 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 water, and lime Once I built a tower, now it's done Buddy, can you spare a dime? Once in khaki suits, gee, we looked fine 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 am your pal? Buddy, can you spare a dime?