Dropkick Murphy's - Skinhead on the MBTA - [1998]

Skinhead on the MBTA [video | lyrics] has always been one of my favorite Dropkick Murphy's tunes, though I have to admit I pretty much lost interest, with all due respect to him, once Al Barr took over. I just loved Mike McColgan's vocals and his onstage antics too much to be able to make the transition.

Anyway, this song is cool because they take such a wimpy old Kingston trio song, a band synonymous with worst of cheese-ball folk music, and turn it into a dark story about a what really goes on on the Boston subways.

Ironically, the Dropkick's more sinister version is probably a much more apt description of what occurs on the subways, even back in those days, as the original song was written at the request of a politician trying to raise awareness about his public transportation program. One of the last lines is pretty damn obvious "Fight the fare increase! Vote for George O'Brien!"



Lyrics and Links to both versions are below


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Dropkick Murphy's Version - "Skinhead on the M.B.T.A."

Now let me tell you a story of a big ole' skinhead 
On a tragic and fateful day
He put 10 cents in his pocket kicked his wife and family
Went to ride on the M.B.T.A
Chorus: 
Now, did he ever return, no he never returned 
and his fate is still unknown He may ride forever neath the Streets of Boston 
he's a skinhead who never returned
Skinhead goes down to the Kendall Sq. Station 
and he changes For Jamaica Plain,
the conductor says skinhead I need a nickel, 
skinhead punches him in the brain
(Chorus)
Now all night long skinhead drives through the station 
Wondering "Who can I go and see?"
Can't afford to buy crack in Chelsea or a bundle in Roxbury
(Chorus)
Skinhead's wife goes to the Sully Square Station 
Everyday at quarter past two,
And through the open window she hands skinhead a grenade 
As the train comes a rumbling through
(Chorus)
Now you citizens of Boston don't you think its a scandal 
how the skinhead stole the train? 
(So drive on the fucking streets you fucking bums
Let him drive fucking that train!)
(Chorus)
He's the skinhead who never returns 

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Kingston Trio Version - Charlie on the MTA: 

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 unlearned. 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.
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)
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'Brien! 
Get poor Charlie off the M. T. A.
(Chorus)
He's the man who never returned. He's the man who never returned. Ain't you Charlie?