They used to tell me I was buildin' a dream
And so I followed them all
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 buildin' a dream
With peace and glory ahead
Why should I be standin' in line
Just waitin' for bread?
Once I built a railroad and made it run
Made it race against time
Once I built a railroad, now it's done
Hey brother, can you spare a dime?
Once I built a tower up to the sun
Brick and ribbon 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
All of that Yankee Doodle-de-dum
Half a million boots went sloggin' 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
Buddy, can you spare a dime?
Hey, man! I used to fight for you in that war
Now I'm standin' here in the street, don't you remember me?
I ain't got a stitch to my name
Now put that little dime in my hand
Hey, you see that tower up there?
You all goin' in and I'm sittin' out here
I don't wanna hear your words
I wanna see that coin in my hand
That's right, put it there, sir, put it there!
Mother, once in khaki boots, gee we looked swell
For all that Yankee Doodle-de-dum
Half a million boots went sloggin' through hell
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
Buddy, can you spare a dime?
Hey! Hey!
Buddy, can you spare a dime?