Once I built a railroad, I made it run I made it run against time Once I built a railroad, and now it's done Buddy, can you spare a dime? Once I built a tower way up to the sun Of bricks and morter and lime Once I built a tower, and now it's done Buddy can you spare a dime? Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell Full of that yankee-doodlee-dum A half-a-million boots went sloggin' through hell And I was the kid with the drum Say don't you remember, you called me al It was al all the time Say don't you remember, I was your pal Buddy, can you spare a dime? Once I built a railroad, I made it run I made it run against time Once I built a railroad, and now it's done Buddy, can you spare a dime?