To this day the MBTA embraces this song as an unofficial theme song. The Photo ID cards for the Massachusetts transit system fare system (statewide) are called CharlieCards

@janhammer39

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Joe & welcome. Thanks for the fun fact.

@Deadbuck73

5 жыл бұрын

I miss the tokens...

@leighmusicof2324

5 жыл бұрын

We still have a collection of them.

@kevinhoward9593

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah but if you say "Charlie Card" you will get cursed out by Bostonians. its "Chally Cad"

@TralfazConstruction

4 жыл бұрын

@Max William Lauf Those dollar coins and the newer ones are the handiest things. Our outfit's vending service accepted dollar coins and I used these as a de facto savings plan for vacation time. I started converting 5, 10 and 20 dollar bills into dollar coins and squirreled them away until it was time to go on vacation then go to the bank and convert 'em back into paper.

My mom used to sing this song and gesticulate wildly to "and through the open window, she'd hand Charlie a sandwich"! She's been gone almost 15 years. This video made me smile and cry. Thank you.

@Only1JhannaMarie

9 ай бұрын

Yeah my Mom has been gone for awhile as well. I’m sorry for your loss.

@nw4042

5 ай бұрын

This line always drove me nuts. He just needs a nickel, and you obviously can successfully get objects to him on the train without boarding, and you obviously care about his well being.... Why the blazes don't you throw him nickel and end the insanity?!? Been eating at me since childhood. Sorry for your loss.

@billgambrel

Ай бұрын

It was one of my mom's favorites as well. She just passed a few weeks ago.

@randallkoch6215

Ай бұрын

@@nw4042 It must be a mater of principle😶

I can vividly remember singing this song at sleep away camp in New Hampshire in 1963. One of the counselors had a guitar and we all started singing. It is such a great song to this day.

@beefboss7913

3 жыл бұрын

Camp Pasquaney?

@furanrabbits

Жыл бұрын

Was probably Interlocken (now Windsor Mountain) International Summer Camp...love that place

My sister, when in high school, started talking about a group playing in San Francisco at a place called the Purple Onion (or was it the Hungry I? or both?). She brought home a 33-1/3 LP titled simply "The Kingston Trio". I liked it. But shortly thereafter she brought home "The Kingston Trio At Large" and life was never the same. At the end of my sister's senior year---which was the end of my freshman year, 1959---"M.T.A." was playing all the time and I absolutely loved it and was hooked thereafter. She went on to nursing school in S.F. (we lived in Marin County, the "other" side of the Golden Gate Bridge) and I absorbed those two albums into my own collection (and we didn't have a record player, had to borrow one!). Eventually I had all eight of the original (monaural, yet) albums, still have them today. It changed my life. I started singing along with the records and then taught myself how to play guitar after I was out of high school and throughout the succeeding 59 years sang with assorted folks (just for fun) and enjoyed myself immensely. Still have an original "M.T.A." 45 record. I can't overstate how hearing and learning the Trio's music affected my life, but I will forever be grateful for it, and them. God bless Bob Shane, wish him the best.

@bobcurmudgeon3848

5 жыл бұрын

@Catriona M. MacKirnan Aaah yes! The Onion, The Eye tinyurl.com/l5zxc68

@flutterby3415

4 жыл бұрын

Catriona M. MacKirnan m

@michaelreid322

2 жыл бұрын

Don't know which club, but the guys did record a live album called "...from the Hungry i", which was recorded during a show there. It was one of the first albums my parents bought, and I grew up listening to it. Didn't include "MTA", though.

@jkdm7653

Ай бұрын

"From the Hungry I" hooked me for life on the Trio...bought every one of their vinyl LPs till the late 60s. Their songs were SO singable! Dave's leaving shocked me and hurt for a long time afterward. Came to love John, but it never was quite as good to me after the split in '61.

This song contains everything that was great about the folk revival of the 60's and seventies. Fantastic song and fantastic rendition of the song. They can't write 'em like this anymore.

@janhammer39

9 жыл бұрын

Eli Selling Thanks Eli for checking out the site.

@dakotanorth1640

7 жыл бұрын

Eli Selling of course not. There is no more Scollay Square station and the fare is higher and they did away with "exit fares" so this won't keep happening . And now it's called the MBTA or "T" and.... it would have to be a whole new song.

@FiftiesDad

3 жыл бұрын

@@dakotanorth1640 I think Eli’s comment was about folk writing in general and not specific to the T lmao

@Areanyusernamesleft

Жыл бұрын

Well, in the case of this particular song, it was actually written for a political campaign in 1949 (for Progressive Party Boston mayoral canidate Walter A. O'Brien). The Kingston Trio's only major change was the name at the end of song.

This has been,and still is, a phenomenal song! Great singers, great song.

@williammccloud5579

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed

They seemed to always have so much fun singing and connecting with their fans!

@joycepickering6553

3 жыл бұрын

Google google search

Play that banjo, Stevo-O!

@smeagle1320

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@ajlister89

2 жыл бұрын

Yes

@SquatCobbler-Cry

2 жыл бұрын

Haha reese is a boss

@Weezerfann74

4 ай бұрын

Rewatching the entire malcom in the middle series thought thia was hilarious

Kingston Trio is a part of my childhood I frequently remember. Kinder, gentler times.

@dean5220

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Suze, How are you doing?

@mikeg2306

Жыл бұрын

Not for everyone, unfortunately.

@Toirdealbhach-na-dTreabha

8 ай бұрын

Thankfully long before that « music », rap 🤮

I always loved the Kingston Trio, from 69's up to now, and this was one of their best songs. Still Love them dearly!! Timeless music!

@janhammer39

9 жыл бұрын

Thanks Joyce for checking in with us.

@joycejeffries7465

9 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Have a great weekend!

Have loved the Kingston Trio since I was a little kid & still do!

my mother had this one down on the acoustic guitar so i grew up singing it before i knew what i wuz ah singin then gradually it dawned on me this vast underground where he may ride for ever he may never return subterranean homesick blues those iz high stakes

It is hard to believe, but I remember this group well. They were wonderful live.

This song has been a family favorite for over 50 years!

@janhammer39

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Joanne for tuning in.

This song is a classic and it with never get old!

Still sounds great after all these years!

@janhammer39

7 жыл бұрын

Indeed they do. Quality is lasting.

@janhammer39

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Angel for checking in with us.

My 10 year old requested we play this in the car, apparently he's going to be singing it with his graduating class in a few weeks! So cute, good for these kids 🥰

@janhammer39

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for tuning in.

@andywidener5475

2 жыл бұрын

That kid is gonna be alright. Really. 😉

this song always puts me in a good mood I remember singing this at church camp it's a fun song to sing it does not need to make sense

@dean5220

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Donna, How are you doing?

The 60's and 70's " Folk Rock " Best!

Charlie and the MTA brings back such fond memories. My brother and I went to a camp in New Hampshire near Peterborough. One of the counselors knew the song and played the guitar. I remember after color war was over 😢the counselor led the camp in singing Charlie and the MTA. Wonderful song and memories.

Great performers. Great song. For any old timers here out of the loop: A band called Dropkick Murphys did a rendition of this song called, "Skinhead on the MBTA." If you like punk rock music it's worth listening to.

@janhammer39

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking out my site and for your comment.

THIS WAS MY JAM FROM KINDERGARTEN TO 5TH GRADE

@lauraeager373

3 жыл бұрын

Learned this song in 4th grade

Awesome song from a 7 year old!!! Played at her sing along today in elementary school...Happy Days.

@janhammer39

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Catherine for checking out The Hammer Works.

My favorite Kingston Trio hit! I'm from Massachusetts and the 'CharlieCard' is indeed a tribute to this song and the great Kingston Trio.

I'm 35 but when I was only 10 this was my favorite song thanks to my Grandparents Evens!!

@janhammer39

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking in with us.

Great banjo pick

One of the most magnificent legacies in recorded history. Dave, Nick and Bob (and later John, Roger, George, etc.) finished their journey well. None better. Ever.

@marksheiman1538

3 жыл бұрын

Hit in '59, written in'49. Still a good song.

My mom sang this song to me when I was a kid and I always wondered why his wife didn't hand him a nickel instead of a sandwich so he could get off. Maybe she didn't want Charlie back.

@sherriwilcauskas8637

9 жыл бұрын

Bfdidc I had the same question when I heard this song as a kid!

@NavyBob1965

9 жыл бұрын

+Sherri Wilcauskas Simple...it's the stupid people in Boston. Look who they like...the Red Sox and Obozo.

@janhammer39

9 жыл бұрын

+Bob W Now Bob you are being a little tough on Boston. What have you got against mass transit?

@Bfdidc

9 жыл бұрын

Jan Hammer I'm sure he just wanted to get in his "Obozo" post for the day. The internet just doesn't have enough people thinking they're clever with that one.

@NavyBob1965

9 жыл бұрын

+Jan Hammer Nothing. Used to ride NYC subway to work every day for years. Also to Yankee Stadium, my summer home. But maybe the wife was afraid she might hide the nickel in the sandwich and Charlie would've bit into it and broke a tooth.

My name is Charlie, when I was a little girl my grandpa used to sing this to me :)

I grew up listening to this song!

@janhammer39

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for visiting the channel.

My dad used to sing this to us when we were kids... all 10 of us! We loved it and I believed it! haha! This brings back beautiful memories of him and that time.

love the Kingston Trio, saw them in person, great song.

Malcolm in the Middle :D

@maxfontenot660

4 жыл бұрын

The best

I love this song so much and I'm glad our bus pass is named after Charlie.

anybody here from watching season 4 episode 11 of malcolm in the middle?

Love, love, love this! Long live folk music. Peace! XOXO

@janhammer39

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dianne for checking in with us.

I thought of this today when I read an article about the Orange Line being shut down for at least a month for much needed, major maintenance.

I moved to Boston from California years ago. This song has special meaning now. :)

@janhammer39

9 жыл бұрын

+thehistorywatcher Thanks for checking in with us. It is a fun song.

The first record I ever owned was The Kingston Trio's "College Concert". LOVED this song. Collector's Choice put out a 2-fer CD with this LP on it in the late 90s. Still have it.

I was born when it was a hit. Still good.

so LOVE!!! that wonderful sounding old Tenor Martin of MR Nicks

I remember this song and I guess is played on the radio when I was very small.

@janhammer39

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kathleen for vising the channel.

Fantastic. One of my all time favorites. I quote and refer to the lines to this very day. In this version they skipped a verse and switched George and Charlie at the end.

Decades ago my 5th/6th grade teacher used to play the guitar while the class would sing this song (among others). Those were good times. MM, you are missed.

I like it how Nick switched "Charlie" and "George" around as an inside joke for the fans who knew the song (as opposed to those in the audience hearing it for the first time).

In '58, kissed my Bestest High School steady goodbye at Logan and boarded a United or TWA or Continental Turbo-Prop for the 10 hour flight to LA (the year before 5 hr. Jets!) for the night into day experience of college at USC....Whoa! First day in the frat house learned Rock n Roll, let alone the dying sounds of The Big Bands, were out and the Kingston Trio was IN. Geesh!!! I said to myself...how the heck can ya dance cheek-to-cheek/belly-to-belly to that? My Gawd! Didn't these people get American Bandstand on their TVs! Oh ya....Hang down your head Tom Dooley was surely gonna put any Chica in a mood!

Thanks for sharing this.

Heard this song when I was 10 In day camp-62 years ago never forget it

I was surprised on a recent trip to Boston the transit card used on the subway is called a Charlie card, after this song!

I use to sing this as a Kid whenever we went to Red Sox's games or events in Boston! I guess 126 People couldn't get off the MTA!

I don't know why, but I've always loved this song.

@dean5220

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Mary, How are you doing?

lunch in high school, I remember hearing this play, that's a long time ago

This was a standard Christmas Carol that my Grandma would sing and strung every Christmas eve in Dedham, MA. RiP the Heath street Projects.

@janhammer39

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Chris for tuning in.

@cbarrrr

5 жыл бұрын

@@janhammer39 thank you for uploading. :) almost heard her voice while listening. :'(

@janhammer39

5 жыл бұрын

@@cbarrrr Chris we don't want you to be sad. Thanks for tuning in.

Fallout 4 mod Boston radio has brought me here.

Alan Arkin and The Tarriers did a version called the SOB (Subways of Boston), ending with Damn this dirty SOB. Probably lyric written by Arkin, one of the cleverest humans ever.

@dean5220

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Eleanor, How are you doing?

One of the great bands of the era--ask the Beach Boys. They even sported the same striped shirts as the KT.

Hand him a frickin nickel!!! Ever since I was a kid that sandwich part pissed me off haha

@noname-bq4kd

4 жыл бұрын

LOL!

@Quincyquarrynews

3 жыл бұрын

Gentlemen, you are not wives. If you were you would understand why no nickel.

@nw4042

5 ай бұрын

YEEEEEEEEEES! Glad I'm not the only one. ;-)

Omfg we use to sing this in elementary school omfg It was my favorite Omfgg

@theninthcloud

8 жыл бұрын

Same here!

@gitasong

5 жыл бұрын

I learned it in 2nd grade; still remember most of the words 40+ years later. :)

@SearchIndex

4 жыл бұрын

we did too and it scared the crap out of me-i thought i was gonna have to ride the subway alone and get lost

@lauraeager373

3 жыл бұрын

Same!

My da loved this song and often would play the Kingston Trio's LP and sing along.

Find Charlie in a shop along Downtown Crossing or if you wanna be vintage, call it Summer-Winter station.

@tmichael80

3 жыл бұрын

The old names for DTX were Summer-Winter Station (Orange Line) and Washington Station (Red Line). Wonder if Charlie ever ate at Locke-Ober.....

I rode the rails for days, taking photos of close to every single word in this song and put it on an iMac video. It was fun meeting all the conductors, train personnel, and citizens in Boston. (The best city on Earth, by the way.) I would've been honored to meet the Kingston Trio had I been there back then. But, yes, this song is why the confusing as heck Charlie Cards are named as such. (I miss tokens. And speaking to the tollbooth workers.) Everything is automated these days. Yet this song will always live on!

@janhammer39

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Lyndsay and what a fun project.

@KallePihlajasaari

Жыл бұрын

Is there a copy of your video online somewhere yet?

Kingston Trio MTA, one of their best. (and they surely had a few!)

@janhammer39

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks John for checking in with us.

@johnjarou2357

4 жыл бұрын

@@janhammer39 thanks for posting Jan. hey, I remember a Jan Hammer band from long ago. any connection?

Thank you for the interesting history on this song. Now I'm curious what the original version sounds like. I didn't know it was that old!

I saw them in concert in Syracuse, NY, one month before I saw Peter, Paul, and Mary in concert. Both at the Landmark Theater.

I got here for Malcolm in the middle 😂😂

The original song this borrowed the tune and inspiration from was "The Ship That Never Return'd" by Henry Clay Work in 1865.

2nd album set (3 records) I owned Was fortunate to get them to sign it in 1966 in San Antonio Nick Bob and Dave Nick loved the crowd it seemed. They had energy and friendship .

@Jestak

7 жыл бұрын

If it was in 1966, wouldn't it have been Nick, Bob, and John Stewart?

I still have the Will Holt album with this song. It was the first song I figured out how to play on the guitar.

@janhammer39

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Simon for visiting The Hammer Works.

i have always loved this song it tickles you 😊

Took the MTA 5 days a week when I went to Girls' Latin-we all used to meet at Washington station and get off at Shawmut and walk up the hill

This song is as good now as ever!

Why can't the music listening public admire acts like this anymore? Great musicians, fantastic entertainers, and oh my god, they are singing and performing their instruments at the same time, wowzers!!

@janhammer39

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks Geoffrey for visiting my site and for sharing your thoughts.

@therealdgh13

6 жыл бұрын

Boo! Booooooo!

Scollay Square was the home of burlesque with performers like Gypsy Rose Lee. Today it is Government Centre Station

I saw them in person at Indiana Beach in 58 or 59 when they performed. We couldn't get out into the traffic, so went back to the sailing club, and took off our heels, and some sailed and some of us canoed over to the dock at the concert floor...crinolines and good dresses..be damned..and we got to take them for a ride afterwards..on the lake.. I love those striped shirts!

Its the man, who never return

@janhammer39

8 жыл бұрын

+Sadino Castro Thanks Sadino for visiting the site.

Love the song

Kingston trio classic.

I have that song on a compilation vinyl and I just heard it on there.. I heard this before from Dropkick Murphys and heard the original but never thought diggin in my grandparents crates I'd hear it.

@janhammer39

9 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking out our site and for taking the time to share your thoughts.

I played this in protest of the Boston Red Sox beating the New York Mets in 2 striaght games!

Just realized that the Charlie Card is named after this song.

Malcolm in the Middle

LMAO, the Kingston Trio was a unique folk group with great music and, normally with humor behind the Ironic lyrics! The MTA is one of my favorites. My parents bought records from a wide breadth of musical genres.....Gigi, Oklahoma, Bluegrass, (Dad's parents both moved from the hollow's (holler's to be exact) which is rich in tales of their lives in Appalachia, classical ole fashioned Christian hymns, and, last but not least, the classical greats from Hans Christian Anderson (still know all the lyrics to their songs), Nutcracker, Peter & the Wolf (now that's an oldie!), Bizet's Carmen that can transport you into your own interpretation of the story just by the passion of his music, and, my favorite, Swan Lake, that enabled me to flush the deep sadness from my young soul because the music was mine to accompany my imagination's choreography allowing me to rid myself of the real ugliness I suffered in the ballet studio at the hands of one particular cruel dancer and my frustration with my teacher for knowing but doing nothing to rescue me from a living hell. No, I''m not feeling sorry for myself, this was just the reality of my daily existence which made me into a mentally & physically proficient student of classical ballet. Anyway, didn't mean to wax nostalgically but it is what it is......What music shaped your young lives?

@dean5220

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Ann, How are you doing?

Nothing better!!

Well a month& a day late I just got my senior Charlie card today so I fought the fare increase.

Too cool.

‘Malcolm In The Middle’ lead me to great music.

I had no idea this song was so old! The only other rendition I've ever heard was by Dropkick Murphy, and I thought it was a totally original composition. As much as I enjoy DM's version, I think I prefer The Kingston Trio!

This song is so based. I love being from Boston.

Now, Charlie is trying to get home in Atlanta traffic and singing this.

@janhammer39

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for visiting the channel.

short version....leaving out "how can I afford to visit my cousins in chelsea or my uncle in Roxbury...or something like that..

@janhammer39

8 жыл бұрын

The tune seems good for the season we are in.

@commanderstraker1082

7 жыл бұрын

"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 Roxbury?""

So that's where "Skinhead On the MBTA" came from...but there are probably lots of fun covers/versions of this song.

The reason why Charlie's wife didn't hand him more money was because she would have to pay for the multiple trips he was making. This would make the amount of money Charlie's wife would have to pay have a constant high increase.

I saw it on Malcolm in the middlw :D luv it

this is a good one.

@janhammer39

9 жыл бұрын

Agreed and thanks for checking in with us.

The trio of Vernon Kerr, Dwight Berg and Art Mortensen did a cover on this at the Chaffey High School Junior Assembly in Ontario, California in 1960. It seemed to be well-received. :)

Nothing like this version by the original Kingston Trio.

Still up to date 🎉🎉🎉

Thanks for checking out my site and for your comment.

Thanks Jerry and indeed it is.

why is Hal always in the back

@DareToDreamBig757

3 жыл бұрын

"why do you always go to his house?" ~Dewey