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The Kingston Trio – M.T.A.

M.T.A. - song by The Kingston Trio with Instrumental Accompaniment | Spotify

About the Song

If you’re a fan of classic folk music, chances are you’ve heard of The Kingston Trio. This American folk trio, consisting of Dave Guard, Bob Shane, and Nick Reynolds, was one of the most popular musical acts of the 1950s and 1960s. Their unique blend of tight harmonies, witty lyrics, and engaging storytelling captured the hearts of millions and helped to popularize folk music. One of their most enduring hits is undoubtedly “M.T.A.”.

Released in 1958, “M.T.A.” is a humorous and catchy tune that tells the story of a traveler who gets on the wrong train. The song’s title is an acronym for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, a public transportation system in Boston. The lyrics, written by Bob Shane and inspired by a real-life incident, describe the traveler’s comical journey as he tries to figure out how to get back on the right track.

What makes “M.T.A.” so special? For one, it’s incredibly catchy. The melody is simple yet memorable, and the lyrics are easy to follow. The song’s humor is universal, making it relatable to people of all ages and backgrounds. But there’s more to “M.T.A.” than just its catchy tune and witty lyrics. The song also has a strong sense of nostalgia. It transports listeners back to a simpler time, when people traveled by train and life seemed a little less complicated.

Musically, “M.T.A.” is a prime example of the Kingston Trio’s sound. The trio’s harmonies are tight and polished, and their instrumentation is sparse yet effective. The use of a banjo gives the song a distinctly folk sound, while the rhythmic clapping adds a playful touch.

“M.T.A.” has had a lasting impact on popular culture. It has been covered by countless artists over the years, and it remains a staple of folk music radio stations. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its quality and its ability to connect with audiences on a deep level.

So, why should you listen to “M.T.A.”? If you enjoy classic folk music, you’ll love this song. It’s catchy, humorous, and nostalgic. And even if you’re not a fan of folk music, there’s a good chance you’ll find something to enjoy in “M.T.A.” It’s a timeless piece of music that has stood the test of time.The Kingston Trio - M.T.A. - YouTube

Video 

Lyrics: 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 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!

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.

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

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

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 Rocksbury?”

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’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

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

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.

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

He’s the man who never returned. He’s the man who never returned
E tu, Charlie?

 

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SHE WAS A BRIDE AT FIFTEEN, A MOTHER AT SIXTEEN, AND THE FIRST WOMAN NASHVILLE EVER HAD TO CALL “ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR” — THEN SHE NAMED HER BABY AFTER THE BEST FRIEND SHE’D JUST BURIED, AND THAT BABY SPENT A LIFETIME MAKING SURE NEITHER VOICE WAS FORGOTTEN. Loretta Lynn came out of Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, with nothing but a coal miner’s last name and a voice that could pin a grown man to his chair. Married before she could drive. Four children by twenty-two. Then she wrote songs that scared Nashville half to death — about cheating husbands, birth control pills, and women who’d had enough. Sixteen number-ones. Presidential Medal of Freedom. The whole world calling her the Coal Miner’s Daughter. In 1963, her best friend Patsy Cline died in a plane crash. The next year, Loretta gave birth to twins. She named one of them Patsy. That little girl grew up backstage, between tour buses and honky-tonks. She formed The Lynns with her twin sister Peggy. Earned CMA nominations. Then she did something quieter and heavier — she stepped behind the glass and co-produced her mother’s final albums alongside Johnny Cash’s son. Loretta died October 4, 2022. That first birthday without her, Patsy woke up reaching for a phone call that wasn’t coming — her mama singing “Happy Birthday,” the way she always had. Does knowing Loretta named her daughter after a ghost she never stopped grieving make “I Fall to Pieces” feel like it belongs to both of them now?

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