they used to tell me i was building a dream and so i followed the mob when their was earth to plow or guns to bear i was always their 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 i 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 up 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 doodly 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 say buddy can you spare a dime once in khaki suits ah gee we looked swell full of that yankee doodly dum half a million boots went sloggin 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 