The Kingston Trio - Charlie and the MTA
текст песни

Spoken:
These are the times that try men's souls. In the course of our nation's history, the people of Boston have rallied bravely whenever the rights of men have been threatened. Today, a new crisis has arisen. The Metropolitan Transit Authority, better known as the M.T.A., is attempting to levy a burdensome tax on the population in the form of a subway fare increase. Citizens, hear me out! This could happen to you!

(Eight bar guitar, banjo introduction)

Well, let me tell you of the story of a man named Charley,
On a tragic and fateful day,
He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family,
Went to ride on the M.T.A.

Well, did he ever return?
No, he never returned,
And his fate is still unlearned, (what a pity)
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston,
He's the man who never returned.

Charlie handed in his dime,
At the Kendall Square Station,
And he changed for Jamaica Plain,
When he got there the conductor told him,
One more nickel,
Charlie couldn't get off of that train.

But, did he ever return?
No, he never returned,
And his fate is still unlearned, (poor old Charlie)
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston,
He's the man who never returned.

Now, all night long Charlie rides through the station,
Crying, what will become of me?
How can I afford to see my sister in Chelsea.
Or my cousin in Roxbury?

But, did he ever return?
No, he never returned,
And his fate is still unlearned, (what a pity)
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston,
He's the man who never returned.

Charlie's wife goes down,
To the Sculley Square Station,
Every day at quarter past two,
And through the open window,
She hands Charlie a sandwich,
As the train comes rumbling through.

But, did he ever return?
No, he never returned,
And his fate is still unlearned, (he may ride forever)
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston,
He's the man who never returned.

(Eight bar guitar, banjo)

Now, you citizens of Boston,
Don't you think it's a scandal,
How the people have to pay and pay?
Fight the fare increase!
Vote for George O'Brien!
Get poor Charlie off the M. T. A.!

Or else, he’ll never return,
No, he’ll never return,
And his fate is still unlearned, (just like Paul Revere)
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston,
He's the man who never returned.

He's the man who never returned,
He's the man who never returned,
Et tu, Charlie?