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, 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, made of 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-***.Half a million boots went slogging through hell, and I was the guy with the 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?