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MTA (Charlie on the M.T.A.)
MTA (Charlie on the M.T.A.)Rude BridgeMiddlesex Activist Band usually sings all the verses and choruses, with instruments for intro, accompaniment, and interludes.Play [1]Verse & [2]Chorus
SING: VERSE1 &Chorus, VERSE2 &Chorus
Play Verse &Chorus (or solo)
SING: VERSE3 &Chorus, VERSE4 &Chorus
Play Verse &Chorus (or solo)
SING: VERSE5 &Chorus
sing: & &ExtraChorus
sing: & &Tags/Ending
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tc1GUXx...A campaign song from an unsuccessful Progressive Party campaign for Mayor of Boston. Later a hit record by the Kingston Trio.
The most famous song ever to mention Kendall Square, Jamaica Plain, and Scollay Square in its lyrics. Charlie is the namesake of the modern-day MBTA fare system. His fate is still unlearned.Bb
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Lyrics by Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Lomax Hawes
-Verse 1
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.
-Chorus
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.
-Verse 2
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!
-Chorus
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.
-Verse 3
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?”
-Chorus
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.
-Verse 4
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.
-Chorus
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.
-Verse 5
Now you citizens of Boston, don't you think its a scandal how the people have to pay and pay?
Fight the fare increase! Vote for Walter O'Brien. Get poor Charlie off the MTA.
-Chorus
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.
-Extra Chorus
But did he ever return? No he never returned, and his fate is still unlearned.
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.
Arrangement Creative Commons Zero CC0 by Rude Bridge
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