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 slogging through Hell I was the kid 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 Once in khaki suits, ah gee we looked swell Full of that Yankee-Doodly-dum Half a million boots went slogging through Hell I was the kid 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 Buddy, can you spare a dime