M.T.A. (Live At UCLA, Los Angeles/1961)

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 burdonsome 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
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
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
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 'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man, who never returned
Pick it, Davey
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 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
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
That you, Charlie?