Charlie [Baker] on the MBTA

(73rd anniversary edition)

Tune: Charlie on the MTA

[The author of these lyrics is anonymous by choice but has granted permission to share them.]

First performed 8.10.22 on the Orange Line platform at Back Bay Station with Jacob Deck on Celtic harp, Ben Rechel on Bass, Anna Seda on Cello Lyrics by a local friend that wished to remain anonymous

Let me tell you a story ‘bout a man named Charlie on a tragic and fateful day He got driven to his office, gave a speech and took some photos Then he shut down the MTA

Will it ever return? May it ever return! But its fate is still unlearned We may crawl forever through the streets of Boston But our train may never return

If you’re in Back Bay and you gotta get to Malden or from Cambridge to Jamaica Plain Hope you’ve got four wheels or a couple extra hours ‘Cause you won’t get there on the train! (Learn to swim!)

Will it ever return? May it ever return! But its fate is still unlearned We may crawl forever through the streets of Boston But our train may never return

So the old orange line and the Green Line Extension Are both shut for a month it’s true (OR MORE!) And the way things are going we can probably be certain That they’ll shut down the Red Line too!

Will it ever return? May it ever return! But its fate is still unlearned We may crawl forever through the streets of Boston But our train may never return

[Instrumental Break]

Now you citizens of Boston don’t you think that it’s a scandal Charlie skips traffic ev’ry day Someone bribe his chauffeur, stick a needle in his tires and put Charlie on the MTA {for legal reasons it’s a joke}

Will it ever return? IT HAD BETTER RETURN! But its fate is still unlearned We may crawl forever through the streets of Boston But our train may never return But our train may never return