# transcription of the lyrics in the kingston trio's recording of 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.

[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.

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-a that train.

[chorus, "well" is replaced with "but" and "what a pity" is replaced with "poor old charlie"]

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?"

[chorus, "but" and "shame and scandal"]

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" and "he may ride forever"]

[banjo solo, opened by "pick it davey" and presumably-davey says "kinda hurts my fingers" partway through]

now, you citizens of boston, don't you think it's a scandal
that the people have to pay and pay?
fight the fare increase vote for george o'brien
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
et tu charlie