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