Written by Jay Gorney/E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
Intro: Am verse 1 Dm They used to tell me I was building a dream Am G And so I followed the mob Am Dm When there was earth to plough or guns to bear Bm E I was always there, right on the job verse 2 Am Dm They used to tell me I was building a dream Am G With peace and glory ahead C E7 Why should I be standing in line Am F E7 F E7 Just waiting for bread? verse 3 Am Bm A7 Once I built a railroad, made it run D G C E7 Made it race against time F E7 Am F7 Once I build a railroad, now it's done Bdim7 E7 Am Buddy, can you spare a dime? verse 4 Am Bm A7 Once I built a tower to the sun D G C E7 Built of brick and mortar and lime F E7 Am F7 Once I built a tower, now it's done Bdim7 E7 Am Buddy, can you spare a dime? Bridge A7 Em Am Once, in khaki suits, gee, we looked swell Em A7 Full of that Yankee Doodle de-dum D7 Half a million boots went slogging through Hell Am G Bm E7 And I was the kid with the drum Verse 5 Am Bm A7 Say, don't you remember, they called me Al? D G C E7 It was Al all the time F E7 Am F7 Say, don't you remember? I'm your pal Bdim7 E7 Am Buddy can you spare a dime?