The song is indeed called the Ballad of the MTA and was sung by the
Kingston Trio. It was written about the proposed increase in the
Metropolitan Transit Authority fare from $.10 to $.15 in the fifties.
(Yeah, right!)
(Here is what I could remember with some dum-dum-dums thrown in
where I am not sure)
Let me tell you a story ’bout 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 (poor ole’ Charlie),
He may ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston,
He’s the man who never returned.
Dum-dum-dum-dum-dum….
Dum-dum-dum-dum-dum,
The conductor said «You’ll need one more nickel!»,
Charlie couldn’t get off that train.
(repeat chorus)
Dum-dum-dum-dum-dum….
Dum-dum-dum-dum-dum,
«Oh what will become of my wife and my family,
And my sister in Roxbury.»
(repeat chorus)
Charlie’s wife goes down to the Chelsea station,
Every day at half past two,
And through an open window she hands Charlie a sandwhich,
As the train goes rumblin’ through.
(repeat chorus)
Now 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!
And help Charlie get off of that train!