M.T.A.
Words by Jacqueline Steiner, Bess Lomax Hawes, and The Kingston Trio (adapted) © 1949, music by Henry Clay Work (The Ship that Never Returned), Jacqueline Steiner (adapted), and Bess Lomax Hawes (adapted)


Kingston Trio added the spoken intro and changed the politician to George O'Brien.



(spoken) 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.

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Let me tell you the story of a man named Charley
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On a tragic and fateful day
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He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family
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Went to ride on the MTA

	Did he ever return, no he never returned
	And his fate is still unlearn'd
	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?"

Charley'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 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 and
Get poor Charley off the MTA

	Or else he'll never return, no he'll never return
	And his fate will be unlearned
	He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
	He's the man (Who's the man) He's the man (Oh, the man)
	He's the man who never returned.