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 a men on the jump.


Once I built a railroad, I made it run, I made it race against time.
Once I built a railroad; and now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime?
Once I built a tower, to the sun, brick, and rivet, and lime;

Once I built a tower, now i'm done. Brother, can you spare a dime?

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 there on the job.

Say, don't you remember, they called me Al; it was Al all the time.

Say, don't you remember, you said I'm your pal? Brother, can you spare a dime?