"THE MAN WHO FINALLY RETURNED" spoofs 1959’s Top-20 Billboard hit from The Kingston Trio –“MTA” – also known as “The Man Who Never Returned.” After 50 years, ol’ Charlie finally climbs off the MTA only to meet another dubious demise.
In 2002, an early version of this song was recorded and released by The Front Porch Country to honor the 45th Anniversary of THE KINGSTON TRIO's rise to dominance, as well as the opening of Boston’s “Big Dig.” WATCH THE VIDEO FOR THAT 2002 SONG VERSION HERE: youtu.be/GCA0tM8gG8E. *
Seven years later (2009) AN UPDATED "ALBUM EDITION" was re-recorded by The Front Porch Country Band in tribute to the 50th Anniversary of The Kingston Trio's Top 20 Hit: “MTA.” Now due to popular demand, this 2009 updated version is finally released on the full "STORYTELLER" album from The Front Porch Country Band.
*SPECIAL NOTE: The song version appearing on "The Man Who Finally Returned" video was never released on the band's "Here We Go Again" album (as was indicated on the credits for The Front Porch Country Band's 2002 video release). The newer version is available now for the first time on the band's newest album: "STORYTELLER."
lyrics
"THE MAN WHO FINALLY RETURNED"
LYRICS: TO THE "STORYTELLER" ALBUM VERSION
Originally Re-Recorded In 2009 In Tribute To The
50th Anniversary Of The Kingston Trio's "MTA"
It’s been fifty years or more since we last heard from Charlie
The forgotten man we lost along the way
(“Is it really more than half a century…?”)
But when they finally closed the tracks to fix the Boston subway
Charlie climbed off the MTA (“The Big Dig…!”)
Now he finally returned, yes, he finally returned
After fifty years his fate is learned (“He won’t ride forever…”)
He won’t ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston
He’s The Man Who Finally Returned
Charlie’s wife ran down to the big front door to greet him
But he noticed right away things had changed (“What the…!”)
Well, his children all were grown he had 14 grand kids
And everything about the place was strange
There were iPhone® apps and iPads® – Xbox® in the game room
Flatscreen with the Blue-Ray® DVD (“GPS…!”)
“Well, with all this high-tech hardware…”
Charlie soon began to wonder
“Whatever will become of me?”
And he finally returned, yes, he finally returned
After fifty years his fate is learned (“He won’t ride forever…”)
He won’t ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston
He’s The Man Who Finally Returned
It wasn’t long before he hit the talk-show circuit
Charlie’s fame spread far across the land (“On The View…!")
“How can I get adjusted...?” Charlie questioned Joy and Whoopee
“I’m really just a very simple man…!”
INSTRUMENTAL (Applause)
(“Kinda hurts my knuckles…!")
His wife said, “Charlie, what we need is a vacation
In the desert we can have some quiet fun!” (“Some fun…!")
So, she handed him a sandwich as they headed off for Phoenix
But they detoured into Area Fifty-One...! (“Oh, no…!")
In a brilliant flash of light Charlie looked straight up and saw it
“Oh, no!” he cried, “Please don’t take me...!”
But a one-eyed creature grabbed him
Dragged him off into that saucer
Charlie sailed on into history
Where he never returned, no, he never returned
And his fate will be unlearned (“He may fly forever…!")
He may fly forever o’er the skies of Roswell
He’s The Man Who Never Returned
Yes, He’s The Man Who Never Returned (“This just in…!")
He’s The Man Who Never Returned (“According to his wife…!")
At least poor Charlie’s off the MTA...!
(“The man was last seen eating a sandwich…”) (“Mmmm…!”)
(“Eh, too, Roswell...?) (“Oh, no…”)
(“Recalculating! When possible, make a U-Turn…“)
credits
from Storyteller,
released January 1, 2021
.
Check The Kingston Trio's Original 1959 Hit Song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Jw_v3F_Q
Plus This Rare 1997 40th Anniversary Original Video Release
Honoring The Kingston Trio's Formation – Recorded In 1997
By The Front Porch Country Band
Written expressly for The Front Porch Country Band.
All story, music & lyrics by RWGathman (BMI).
Recorded at Green Valley Recording Studios.
Produced by William John Christian.
Special Thanks To Jim "THE BANJO MAN" Haner
for his insprired 5-string banjo play on this track. Thanks, Jim!
The Front Porch Country Band is the American band formed in 2001 and comprised of six seasoned stage and studio musicians
brought together from successful solo careers to record and perform as one group. Their music expands the notion of "country music" with influences of rock, pop, folk and Americana, with each member playing a variety of instruments and sharing time on lead vocals....more
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