20070827 Saboteur: he may ride forever ‘neath the streets of boston..

Saboteur: he may ride forever 'neath the streets of boston...

August 27^th, 2007

A reader, "Grim Sherman Eagle Saboteur" writes – (in reference to my column which will appear in the Westminster Eagle this Wednesday, August 29, 2007):

i have to assume you already know this, but as i too have heard the old adage about what happens when one assumes, i thought i would pass this along.

in reading your boston column (a good one), i noted your reference to the "charlie pass." is that a reference to the kingston trio song 'm.t.a'?

M.T.A. Lyrics

From The Kingston Trio at Large

Date: 07/01/1959

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 M.T.A., 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!

(Eight bar guitar, banjo introduction)

Well, let me tell you of the story of a man named Charley on a tragic and fateful day.

He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family, went to ride on the M.T.A.

Chorus:

Well, did he ever return? No, he never returned and

his fate is still unknown.

(What a pity! Poor ole Charlie. Shame and scandal.

He may ride forever. Just like Paul Revere.)

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.

(Chorus)

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?"

(Chorus)

Charlie's wife goes down to the Sculley Square Station every day at quarter past two, And through the open window she hands Charlie a sandwich as the train comes rumblin' through.

(Chorus)

Now, you citizens of Boston, don't you think it's a scandal how the people have to pay and pay?

Fight the fare increase! Vote for George O'Brien!

Get poor Charlie off the M. T. A.

(Chorus)

He's the man who never returned.

He's the man who never returned.

Ain't you Charlie?

Mrs. Owl and I sing this song frequently when we are trying to follow the map or driving direction as we are traveling… We were known to have sung this song several times while we were in Boston…

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