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Metro

by Geo. McCalip

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about

You may be familiar with the song "MTA: The Man Who Never Returned". While "M.T.A." is a great song, it was written over 60 years ago for a losing mayoral campaign all the way across the country. I believed it was time for a rewrite, hence "Metro," my song about public transit in Southern California. "Metro" deals with the experiences of Charlie's grandson, Larry, who has come to LA and attempts to use the Metro busses.

lyrics

Metro: The Man Who Never Arrived
Lyrics* by Geo. McCalip © 2010 BMI
To the tune of The Ship That Never Returned
(i.e. the same tune used in MTA)

[Spoken intro]
You may have heard a tale of a guy named Charlie,
On a Massachusetts morn,
And how he went to ride on the Boston subway,
Only to never return.

[Song]
But this song‘s about Charlie’s grandson, Larry,
Who had gone out to L.A,
Where he bought a bus pass to just ride on Metro.
It was good for the whole day.

CHORUS:
But did he ever arrive?
No he never arrived, and we pray he’s still alive.
He may wait forever on the streets of L.A.
He’s the man who never arrived.

They charged Larry two dollars just to buy a TAP Card,
Plus six more for the full day fare.
What the heck, thought Larry, when he plunked his cash down
Surely Metro’ll get me there.

CHORUS

Larry took his pass down to the Metro bus stop
Where he stood to wait and wait.
And it’s no surprise to you Metro riders
To learn Larry’s bus was [rest one measure] late.

CHORUS

Boarding with his TAP Card, when at last the bus came,
Larry headed out across town.
But they hadn’t even made it three short blocks
When that old Metro bus broke down.

CHORUS

It was well after sundown Larry still was riding
And you know he was getting tired
When the bus finally showed up for his one last transfer
Larry’s day pass had expired.

CHORUS

Well at least in Boston, where trains run on schedule,
Charlie’s wife could bring him food.
But if you depend on the promptness of Metro,
Well, amigo, you’re just screwed.

CHORUS

He’s the man who never arrived.

[Spoken]
Pray for Larry!

credits

released October 22, 2013
Geo. McCalip - vocals and ukulele

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Geo. McCalip image

Geo. McCalip Long Beach, California

Over the last few years Geo. McCalip has developed an interesting niche writing and performing protest songs on ukulele. His songs are strongly influenced by the folk tradition.

He has long been involved with the folk/acoustic music scene in Southern California. His acousticmusic.net site has been called an encyclopedia of folk music.

Who else would write a song about an Amish crime syndicate? ... more

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