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?