M.T.A. Song
Now let me tell you a story 'bout a man named Charlie
On this tragic and fateful day.
He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family,
Went to ride on the M.T.A.
      Refrain:
   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 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 that train.

Now all night long Charlie rides thru the tunnel
Saying "What will become of me?
How can I afford to see my sister in Chelsea
Or my cousin in Roxbury?"

Charlie's wife goes down to the Scollay Square Station
Every day at a quarter past two,
And thru the open window she hands Charlie a sandwich
As the train comes rumblin' thru.

Now you citizens of Boston, don't you think it is a scandal
That the people have to pay and pay?
Fight the fare increase, vote for Walter O'Brien,
And get Charlie off the M.T.A.!
Written in 1948 as a protest against a proposed subway fare increase from 10¢ to 15¢ and as a campaign song for the Progressive Party candidate for mayor, Walter O'Brien. Under the proposed fare, riders would pay one fare on entering the subway and a second on leaving.

M.T.A. = Massachusetts Transport Authority
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Veröffentlicht 2007-11-11   /   Heiner Fischle, Hannover