Well, let me tell you all a story of a man named Charlie
On a tragic and fateful day (Hah-hah)
He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family
Went to ride on the M.T.A.
Oh, he never returned, no, he never returned
His fate is still unlearned (He may ride forever)
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
He's a man who never returned
Charlie handed in his dime at the Kendall Square Station
And he changed for Jamaica Plain (Oo-hoo-hoey)
When he got there the conductor told him, "One more nickel"
Charlie couldn't get off of that train
Oh, he never returned, no, he never returned
His fate is still unlearned (He may ride forever)
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
He's a man who never returned (Hey, Pat)
Now, all night long Charlie rides through the station
Crying, "What will become of me? (Oo-hoo-hoey)
How can I afford to see my sister in Chelsea
Or my cousin in Roxbury?"
Oh, he never returned, no, he never returned
His fate is still unlearned (He may ride forever)
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
He's a man who never returned
Charlie's wife goes down to the Scollay Square Station
Every day at twelve past two (There you go)
And through the open window she passes Charlie a sandwich
As the train comes rumblin' through
Oh, he never returned, no, he never returned
His fate is still unlearned (He may ride forever)
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
He's a 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? (Yeah)
Fight the fare increase! Vote for George O'Brien!
Get poor Charlie off the M.T.A.!
Oh, he never returned, no, he never returned
His fate is still unlearned (He may ride forever)
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
He's a man who never returned
He's a man who never returned
He's a man who never returned