Charlie on the M.T.A |
I grew up near Boston, Massachusetts, knowing the things everyone knew. A milkshake was properly called a frappe, a water fountain was a bubbler, and Catholic schools were always better than public. Always have at least two snow shovels handy, summertime brings 100% humidity, and even in hot weather swimming in the Atlantic is like hugging an iceberg. Another thing everyone knew was the song "Charlie On The M.T.A. M.T.A. stood for the Metropolitan Transit Authority and covered all public transport. Charlie On The M.T.A. was written in 1949 by Bess Lomax Steiner and Jacqueline Steiner as a campaign song for mayoral candidate Walter O'Brien. It told the story of Charlie, a man who couldn't get off the train because he didn't possess the nickel needed to disembark.The candidate lost, but The Kingston Trio released a version in 1959 that changed the name Walter to a fictional George.( Walter had been accused of being a communist, and the song wouldn't receive airplay with his name in it.) This song became a hit for the Kingston Trio, and remains a local favorite. The Metropolitan Transit Authority was renamed in 1964 to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, which made it the M.B.T.A. Most people refer to it as the "T". In 2006, the last token in the old system was purchased and the M.B.T.A began using electronic ticketing. The pass was named the Charliecard, and today Charlie still rides through Boston. Charley on the 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 Let me tell you the story of a man named Charley On this tragic and fateful day He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family Went to ride on the MTA CHORUS 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. Charley 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." Charley could not get off that train. Now all night long Charley rides through the tunnels Saying, "What will become of me? How can I afford to see my sister in Chelsea Or my cousin in Roxbury?" Churl's wife goes down to the Scollay Square station Every day at quarter past two And through the open window she hands Charley a sandwich As the train comes rumblin' through. Now did you ever wonder why she never puts a nickle in his sandwich of cheese and ham? well the woman has a secret she wants Charlie on that subway 'cause the woman has another man! Now you citizens of Boston, don't you think it's a scandal That the people have to pay and pay Vote for George O'Brien and fight the fare increase Get poor Charley off the MTA music: The Ship that Never Returned; also The Wreck of the Old 97 |