Charlie & the MTA
Oh let me tell you the story of a man named Charlie
On that tragic and fateful day
He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family,
Went to ride on the MTA.
And 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!
Charlie handed in his dime at the Kendall Square station,
Went to change for Jamaica Plain.
When he got there, the conductor told him, "One more nickel";
Charlie couldn 't get off of that train!
Repeat Chorus
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 crabcake,
As the train comes rumblin' through.
Repeat Chorus
Now, all night long, Charlie rides through the station,
Cryin, "What will become of me?
How can I afford to see my sister in Chelsea,
My cousin in Roxbury?"
Repeat Chorus
Now, you citizens of Boston, don't you think that it's a scandal,
How the people have to pay and pay ?
Fight the fare increase, vote for Ed Sobansky,
Get poor Charlie off the MTA !
Or else he'll never return, no, he'll never return,
And his fate will be unlearned.
(Poor old Charlie !)
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston,
He's the man who'll never return !
He's the man who'll never return !
This songbook is collected mainly for my personal use and the enjoyment of my friends.
If you are the author or copyright holder of this song and would like me to take it down, please just write to me at
songbook-at-waks-dot-org, and I will do so.
