A shareware provider of subway maps that download for installation on a IPod has received a cease and desist order from New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority. Apparently they see their subway maps as intellectual property although they give them away for free at the toll booths. Boston however has no problem with downloadable copies of its subway maps, nor does the District of Columbia.
Check out the story, and keep an extra nickel in your pocket just in case. Read Charley's story below.
Song was originally written as a theme song for the Walter O'Brien for City Council Campaign, a Progressive Party candidate in Boston 1949. Boston's Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority had not yet expanded outside of Boston and was called Metropolitan Transit Authority in those days. The song was red baited as "communist" in the 1950s, but the Kingston trio made it popular in the sixties. They called him George to avoid giving "commies" any free publicity.
1. Let me tell you 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 MTA
Charley handed in his dime۬At the Kendall Square Station۬And he changed for Jamaica Plain۬When he got there the conductor told him,۬"One more nickel."۬Charley could not get off that train.
Chorus:۬Did he ever return,۬No he never returned۬And his fate is still unlearn'd۬He may ride forever۬'neath the streets of Boston۬He's the man who never returned.
2. Now all night long۬Charley rides through the tunnels۬Saying, "What will become of me?۬How can I afford to see۬My sister in Chelsea۬Or 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.
Chorus:
3. As his train rolled on۬Through Greater Boston۬Charlie looked around and sighed,۬"Well, I'm sore and disgusted۬And I'm absolutely busted;۬I guess this is my last long ride."
Now you citizens of Boston,۬Don't you think it's a scandal۬That the people have to pay and pay۬Vote for Walter A. O'Brien۬And fight the fare increase۬Get poor Charley off the MTA.
Chorus:۬Or else he'll never return,۬No he'll never return۬And his fate will be unlearned۬He may ride forever۬'neath the streets of Boston۬He's the man (Who's the man)۬He's the man (Oh, the man)۬He's the man who never returned.
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