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, 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 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 doodle dum Half a million boots went sloggin' through hell And I was the kid with a drum
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?