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!
[Sung:]
Well, let me tell you
of the story of 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 M.T.A..
Well, did he ever return? No, he never returned
And his fate is still unlearned(What a pity.)
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 could't get off of that train.
But, did he ever return? No, he never returned
And his fate is still unlearned
(Poor old Charlie.)
He may ride forever
'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man who never returned
Now, all night long Charlie rides
through the station, 1
Cryin' 2 , "What will become of me?
How can I afford to see my sister in Chelsea,
Or my cousin in Roxbury?"
But, did he ever return? No, he never returned
And his fate is still unlearned
(Shame and scandal
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man who never returned
Charlie's wife goes down to the Scollay 3 Square station,
Every day at quarter past two.
And through the open window she hands Charlie a sandwich,
As the train comes rumblin' through.
But/Well, did he ever return? No, he never returned
And his fate is still unlearned
He may ride forever...
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man who never returned
[Nick:] Pick it, Davy! 4
[Instrumental break featuring banjo solo.] 5
[Davy:] Kinda hurts my fingers.
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! 6
Get poor Charlie off the M.T.A..
Or else he'll never return. No, he'll never return
And his fate will be unlearn'd
Just like Paul Revere...
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man who never returned
He's the man who never returned
[Fade.]
He's the man who never returned
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!
[Sung:]
Well, let me tell you
of the story of 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 M.T.A..
Well, did he ever return? No, he never returned
And his fate is still unlearned(What a pity.)
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 could't get off of that train.
But, did he ever return? No, he never returned
And his fate is still unlearned
(Poor old Charlie.)
He may ride forever
'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man who never returned
Now, all night long Charlie rides
through the station, 1
Cryin' 2 , "What will become of me?
How can I afford to see my sister in Chelsea,
Or my cousin in Roxbury?"
But, did he ever return? No, he never returned
And his fate is still unlearned
(Shame and scandal
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man who never returned
Charlie's wife goes down to the Scollay 3 Square station,
Every day at quarter past two.
And through the open window she hands Charlie a sandwich,
As the train comes rumblin' through.
But/Well, did he ever return? No, he never returned
And his fate is still unlearned
He may ride forever...
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man who never returned
[Nick:] Pick it, Davy! 4
[Instrumental break featuring banjo solo.] 5
[Davy:] Kinda hurts my fingers.
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! 6
Get poor Charlie off the M.T.A..
Or else he'll never return. No, he'll never return
And his fate will be unlearn'd
Just like Paul Revere...
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man who never returned
He's the man who never returned
[Fade.]
He's the man who never returned