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Music by Jay Gorney
Words by E.Y.Harburg (1932)
New York City Labor Chorus
Soloist Denis Berger

   

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 always there, right there on the job.
They used to tell me I was building a dream
With peace and glory ahead --
Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread?
Once I built a railroad, 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, 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 Doodle-de-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?

 
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