"Charlie on the M.T.A." was made most popular by The Kingston Trio, about 1960. There is a really great history of the song at http://web.mit.edu/jdreed/www/t/charlie.html

[spoken:]
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 they MTA -- 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.

[Chorus:]
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.

[Chorus]

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?"

[Chorus]

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.

(Chorus)

(pick it Davey)
(kind of hurts my fingers)

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'Keef! Get poor Charlie off the M. T. A.

[Chorus]

He's the man who never returned
he's the man who never returned
he's the man who never returned
Ain't you Charlie?

BACK TO TOP

Waitin' for the Bus Z.Z.Top

Have mercy, been waitin’ for the bus all day.
Have mercy, been waitin’ for the bus all day.
I got my brown paper bag and my take-home pay.

Have mercy, old bus be packed up tight.
Have mercy, old bus be packed up tight.
Well, I’m glad just to get on and home tonight.

Right on, that bus done got me back.
Right on, that bus done got me back.
Well, I’ll be ridin’ on the bus till I cadillac.

BACK TO TOP

The Wheels on the Bus song for children

The wheels on the bus go
round and round
round and round
round and round
the wheels on the bus go
round and round
all through the town

the people on the bus go
up and down
up and down
up and down
the people on the bus go
up and down
all through the town

the driver on the bus says
move on back
move on back
move on back
the driver on the bus says
move on back
all through the town

the babies on the bus go
whaa whaa whaa
whaa whaa whaa
whaa whaa whaa
the babies on the bus go
whaa whaa whaa
all through the town

the mommies on the bus go
shhh shhh shhh
shhh shhh shhh
shhh shhh shhh
the mommies on the bus go
shhh shhh shhh
all through the town

the horn on the bus goes
beep beep beep
beep beep beep
beep beep beep
the horn on the bus goes
beep beep beep
all through the town

all through the town
all through the town
all through the town

BACK TO TOP

The Magic Bus The Who

Every day I get in the queue (Too much, Magic Bus)
To get on the bus that takes me to you (Too much, Magic Bus)
I'm so nervous, I just sit and smile (Too much, Magic Bus)
Your house is only another mile (Too much, Magic Bus)

Thank you, driver, for getting me here (Too much, Magic Bus)
You'll be an inspector, have no fear (Too much, Magic Bus)
I don't want to cause no fuss (Too much, Magic Bus)
But can I buy your Magic Bus? (Too much, Magic Bus)

I don't care how much I pay (Too much, Magic Bus)
I wanna drive my bus to my baby each day (Too much, Magic Bus)

I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it ... (You can't have it!)
Thruppence and sixpence every day
Just to drive to my baby
Thruppence and sixpence each day
'Cause I drive my baby every way

Magic Bus, Magic Bus, Magic Bus ...

I said, now I've got my Magic Bus (Too much, Magic Bus)
I said, now I've got my Magic Bus (Too much, Magic Bus)
I drive my baby every way (Too much, Magic Bus)
Each time I go a different way (Too much, Magic Bus)

I want it, i want it, I want it, I want it ...
Every day you'll see the dust (Too much, Magic Bus)
As I drive my baby in my Magic Bus (Too much, Magic Bus)

BACK TO TOP

(All Gone to Look for) America by Simon and Garfunkel

Let us be lovers we’ll marry our fortunes together
I’ve got some real estate here in my bag
So we bought a pack of cigarettes and mrs. wagner pies
And we walked off to look for america
"Kathy," I said as we boarded a greyhound in Pittsburgh
Michigan seems like a dream to me now
It took me four days to hitchhike from Saginaw
I’ve gone to look for America

Laughing on the bus
Playing games with the faces
She said the man in the gabardine suit was a spy

I said be careful his bowtie is really a camera
toss me a cigarette, I think there’s one in my raincoat
we smoked the last one an hour ago
So I looked at the scenery, she read her magazine
And the moon rose over an open field

kathy, I’m lost, I said, though I knew she was sleeping
I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why
Counting the cars on the new jersey turnpike
They’ve all gone to look for america
All gone to look for america
All gone to look for america

BACK TO TOP

Another One Rides the Bus Wierd Al Yankovic This is sung to the tune of Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust."

Ridin' in a bus down the boulevard,
And the place was pretty packed.
Couldn't find a seat, so I had to stand,
With the perverts in the back.
It was smellin' like a locker room.
There was junk all over the floor.
We're already packed in like sardines,
But we're stoppin' to pick up more.
Look out!

[chorus:]
Another one rides the bus-ah.
Another one rides the bus-ah.
And another comes on,
And another comes on.
Another one rides the bus-ah.
Hey!
He's gonna sit by you.
Another one rides the bus.

There's a suitcase pokin' me in the ribs.
There's an elbow in my ear.
There's a smelly old bum standin' next to me.
Hasn't showered in a year.
Well, I think I'm missin' a contact lens.
I think my wallet's gone.
And I think this bus is stoppin' again,
To let a couple more freaks get on.
Look out!

 [chorus]

Another one rides the bus.
Another one rides the bus--ow!
Another one rides the bus--hey, hey!
Another one rides the bus--hey-y-y-y!

The window doesn't open, and the fan is broke,
And my face is turnin' blue.
I haven't been in a crowd like this
Since I went to see The Who.
Well, I should'a got off a couple miles ago,
But I couldn't get to the door.
There isn't any room for me to breathe.
Now we're gonna pick up more, yeah!

[chorus]

BACK TO TOP

To Morrow - Kingston Trio, written by Bob Gibson

I started on a journey about a year ago to a little town called Morrow in the State of Ohio.
I've never been much of a traveler, and I really didn't know that Morrow was the hardest place I'd ever try to go.

So I went down to the station for my ticket and applied for tips regarding Morrow not expecting to beguiled.
Said I, "My friend, I'd like to go to Morrow and return no later than tomorrow for I haven't time to burn."

Said he to me, "Now let me see if I have heard you right. You'd like to go to Morrow and return tomorrow night.
You should have gone to Morrow yesterday and back today for the train that goes to Morrow is a mile upon its way.

If you had gone to Morrow yesterday now don't you see, you could have gone to Morrow and returned today at three
For the train today to Morrow, if the schedule is right, today it goes to Morrow and returns tomorrow night."

Said I, "My friend, it seems to me you're talking through your hat. There is a town named Morrow on the line now tell me that."
"There is," said he, "but take me a quiet little tip. To go from here to Morrow is a fourteen hour trip.

The train today to Morrow leaves today at eight thirty-five. At half-past ten tomorrow is the time it should arrive.
So if from here to Morrow is a fourteen hour jump, can you go today to Morrow and get back today, you chump?"

Said I, "I'd like to go to Morrow so can I go today and get to Morrow by tonight if there is no delay?"
"Well, well," said he to me, "and I've got no more to say. Can't get anywhere tomorrow and get back again today."

Said I, "I guess you know it all but kindly let me say, how can I get to Morrow if I leave this town today?"
Said he, "You cannot go to Morrow any more today 'cause the train that goes to Morrow is a mile upon its way."

I was so disappointed. I was mad enough to swear. The train had gone to Morrow and had left me standing there.
That man was right in telling me that I was a-howling jay. I could not go to Morrow so I guess in town I'll stay.

BACK TO TOP

Monorail - The Simpsons

[Lyle Lanley:] Well, sir, there's nothing on earth
Like a genuine,
Bona fide,
Electrified,
Six-car
Monorail!
What'd I say?
[Ned Flanders:] Monorail!
[Lyle Lanley:] What's it called?
[Patty+Selma:] Monorail!
[Lyle Lanley:] That's right! Monorail!
[crowd chants `Monorail' softly and rhythmically]
[Miss Hoover:] I hear those things are awfully loud...
[Lyle Lanley:] It glides as softly as a cloud.
[Apu:] Is there a chance the track could bend?
[Lyle Lanley:] Not on your life, my Hindu friend.
[Barney:] What about us brain-dead slobs?
[Lyle Lanley:] You'll be given cushy jobs.
[Abe:] Were you sent here by the devil?
[Lyle Lanley:] No, good sir, I'm on the level.
[Wiggum:] The ring came off my pudding can.
[Lyle Lanley:] Take my pen knife, my good man.
I swear it's Springfield's only choice...
Throw up your hands and raise your voice!
[All:] Monorail!
[Lyle Lanley:] What's it called?
[All:] Monorail!
[Lyle Lanley:] Once again...
[All:] Monorail!
[Marge:] But Main Street's still all cracked and broken...
[Bart:] Sorry, Mom, the mob has spoken!
[All:] Monorail!
Monorail!
Monorail!
[big finish]
Monorail!
[Homer:] Mono... D'oh!

BACK TO TOP

The City of New Orleans by Steve Goodman, Arlo Guthrie

Riding on the City of New Orleans,
Illinois Central Monday morning rail
Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders,
Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail.
All along the southbound odyssey
The train pulls out at Kankakee
Rolls along past houses, farms and fields.
Passin' trains that have no names,
Freight yards full of old black men
And the graveyards of the rusted automobiles.

[CHORUS:]
Good morning America how are you?
Don't you know me I'm your native son,
I'm the train they call The City of New Orleans,
I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done.

Dealin' card games with the old men in the club car.
Penny a point ain't no one keepin' score.
Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle
Feel the wheels rumblin' 'neath the floor.
And the sons of pullman porters
And the sons of engineers
Ride their father's magic carpets made of steel.
Mothers with their babes asleep,
Are rockin' to the gentle beat
And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel.

[chorus]

Nighttime on The City of New Orleans,
Changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee.
Half way home, we'll be there by morning
Through the Mississippi darkness
Rolling down to the sea.
And all the towns and people seem
To fade into a bad dream
And the steel rails still ain't heard the news.
The conductor sings his song again,
The passengers will please refrain
This train's got the disappearing railroad blues.

Good night, America, how are you?
Don't you know me I'm your native son,
I'm the train they call The City of New Orleans,
I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done.

BACK TO TOP

Bus Stop - The Hollies. Thanks to Kim Robertson for these lyrics!

Bus stop, wet day, she's there, I say
Please share my umbrella
Bus stop, us goes, she stays, love grows
Under my umbrella

All that summer we enjoyed it
Wind and rain and shine
That umbrella, we employed it
By August she was mine

Every morning I would see her waiting at the stop
 Sometimes she'd shop and she would show me what she bought
Other people stared as if wewere both quite insane
Someday my name and hers are going to be the same

That's the way the whole thing started
Silly but it's true
Thinkin' of a sweet romance
Beginning in a queue

Came the sun the ice was melting
No more sheltering now
Nice to think that that umbrella
Led me to a vow

Every morning I would see her waiting at the stop
 Sometimes she'd shop and she would show me what she bought
Other people stared as if wewere both quite insane
Someday my name and hers are going to be the same

Bus stop, wet day, she's there, I say
Please share my umbrella
Bus stop, bus goes, she stays, love grows
Under my umbrella

All that summer we enjoyed it
Wind and rain an shine
That umbrella, we employed it
By August she was mine

BACK TO TOP

BUS RIDER. The Guess Who... Written by Kurt Winter... Thanks to Kim Robertson for the lyrics!

Get up in the morning, get on the bus
Get up in the morning like the rest of us
Places to go, important people to meet
Better not get up or you might lose your seat

(Bus rider)

Leave the house at six o'clock to be on time
Leave the wife and kids at home to make a dime
Grab your lunchpail, check for mail in the slot
You won't get your cheque if you don't punch the clock

(Bus rider)

----Lead guitar----

(Bus rider)

Grab your evening paper and sit down in your chair
Grab yourself a toupee 'cause you're losin' your hair
Doesn't matter what you do, you've got nothin' to lose
I'm so awful goddamn glad I'm not in your shoes

(Bus rider)

(Bus rider) You know you'll ride it every single morning today
(Bus rider) Ride, ride, little man
(Bus rider) I don't wanna ride, no I don't wanna ride
(Bus rider) Get up in the morning, get on the bus
(Bus rider) Oh, little man ridin' upside down, yeah
(Bus rider) Mmm, no I don't wanna ride
(Bus rider)

{fade}BACK TO TOP

DOWN BY THE STATION....The Four Preps ... Lyrics courtesy of Kim Robertson
(The last lines are the original folk song.)

Down by the station early in the morning
Met a little girl about as cute as she could be
I turned on my charms and told her that I loved her
I said she would always be the number one for me
She'd always be my number one girl
I said there'd be no number two or three

Down in the malt shop shortly thereafter
Met another girl about as cue as she could be
I looked for number one and when I didn't see her
I told number two she was the only girl for me

Went to the drug store and nearl lost my life
There I saw my girlfriends, one and two
Standing there together, I knew I was in trouble
But I'm a clever guy I knew what to do

I went to the station eary in the morning
I was wooing women as cute as they could be
But then I saw another girl lookin' kinda pretty
I said I'm through with one and two
I love you number three
I said I love you number three And here's what she said to me

Just head on down by the station early in the morning
Catch yourself a trolley car that goes into the sea
I want a love that's true sir, not a love like you sir
You weren't trueto one and two
You won't be true to me

Down by the station early in the morning
See the little puffer-bellies all in a row
See the station master pull the little handle
Chug, chug, woo, woo,off they go

Down by the station early in the morning
See the little puffer-belles all in a row
See the station master (fade)

BACK TO TOP

Casey Jones The Grateful Dead

[chorus:]
Driving that train, high on cocaine,
Casey jones you better watch your speed.
Trouble ahead, trouble behind,
And you know that notion just crossed my mind.

This old engine makes it on time,
Leaves central station bout a quarter to nine,
Hits river junction at seventeen to,
At a quarter to ten you know its travlin again.

[chorus]

Trouble ahead, lady in red,
Take my advice you'd be better off dead.
Switchmans sleeping, train hundred and two is
On the wrong track and headed for you.

[chorus]

Trouble with you is the trouble with me,
Got two good eyes but you still dont see.
Come round the bend, you know its the end,
The fireman screams and the engine just gleams

[chorus]

BACK TO TOP

 
I'M MOVIN' ON by Hank Snow

Fiddle Intro:

That big eight-wheeler, rollin' down the track   Means your true-lovin'
daddy ain't comin' back   'Cause I'm movin' on, I'll soon be gone   You
were flyin' too high, for my little old sky   So I'm movin' on.

That big loud whistle, as it blew and blew
Said hello to the southland, We're comin' to you   And we're movin' on,
oh, hear my song   You had the laugh on me, so I set you free   And I'm
movin' on.

Fiddle break:

Mister fireman, won't you please listen to me   'Cause I got a pretty
mama in Tennessee   Keep movin' me on, keep rollin' on   So shovel the
coal, let this rattler roll   And keep movin' me on.

Mister Engineer, take that throttle in hand
This rattler's the fastest in the southern land   To keep movin' me on,
keep rollin' on   You gonna ease my mind, put me there on time   And
keep rollin' on.

Guitar break:

I've told you baby, from time to time
But you just wouldn't listen or pay me no mind   Now I'm movin' on, I'm
rollin' on
You've broken you vow, and it's all over now   So I'm movin' on.

You've switched your engine, now I aint got time   For a triflin' woman
on my main line   Cause I'm movin' on, you done your daddy wrong   I
warned you twice, now you can settle the price   'Cause I'm movin' on.

But someday baby, when you've had your play   You're gonna want your
daddy, but your daddy will say   Keep movin' on, you stayed away too
long   I'm through with you, too bad you're blue   Keep movin' on.

Fiddle fade

.BACK TO TOP

Stepping Out Joe Jackson

Now...
The mist across the window hides the lines
But nothing hides the colour of the lights that shine
Electricity so fine
Look and dry your eyes

We...
So tired of all the darkness in our lives
With no more angry words to say
Can come alive
Get into a car and drive
To the other side

Me babe, steppin out
Into the night
Into the light
You babe, steppin out
Into the night
Into the light

We...
Are young but getting old before our time
We'll leave the T.V. and the radio behind
Don't you wonder what we'll find
Steppin out tonight

You...
Can dress in pink and blue just like a child
And in a yellow taxi turn to me and smile
We'll be there in just a while
If you follow me

Me babe, steppin out
Into the night
Into the light
You babe, steppin out
Into the night
Into the light

BACK TO TOP