And I was the kid with the drum
Half a million boots went slogging through Hell
Just waiting for bread?
They used to tell me I was building a dream
Why don't you remember? I'm your pal
Say, don't you remember? I'm your pal
Say, don't you remember? They called me 'Al'
Once I built a railroad, I made it run
Once in khaki suits, ah, gee, we looked swell
It was 'Al' all the time
Once I built a tower up to the sun
Brother, can you spare a dime?
Half a million boots went slogging through Hell
Oh, say, don't you remember? They called me 'Al'
With peace and glory ahead
I was always there, right on the job
Say buddy, can you spare a dime?
Brick and rivet and lime
Once I built a railroad, now it's done
Full of that Yankee Doodly Dum
Why should I be standing in line
It was 'Al' all the time
Brother, can you spare a dime?
Once I built a tower, now it's done
And I was the kid with the drum
Once in khaki suits, gee, we looked swell
When there was earth to plow or guns to bear
Full of that Yankee Doodly Dum
Made it race against time
