The Kingston Trio - M.T.A.

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 MTA
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

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

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
And 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 stations
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
Shame and scandal
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man who never returned

Charlie's wife goes down to the Scollay 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
Pick it Davey
Kinda hurts my fingers

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'Brian
Get poor Charlie off the MTA

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

The Kingston Trio - "M.T.A."

Often called "The MTA Song", it was written in 1949 by Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Lomax Hawes. Also known as "Charlie on the MTA", it tells of a man trapped on Boston's subway system (MTA)....

The Kingston Trio - MTA

The Kingston Trio's place in the sun was etched in stone virtually from the get-go. The band formed in 1957 and by the following year had a very successful single called "Tom Dooley" resting...

The Kingston Trio - M.T.A.

"M.T.A.", often called "The MTA Song", is a 1949 song by Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Lomax Hawes. Known informally as "Charlie on the MTA", the song's lyrics tell of a man named Charlie trapped...

Kingston Trio - M.T.A. (Original mono TV version)

Stereo overdub version: https://youtu.be/Wv5P9ac_EYU DISCLAIMER: I do not own any copyright to the music or artwork and the upload has not any commercial purpose. It's only scope being to inform...