Do you know why the transit fare card in Boston is called the Charlie Card? Many remember the Kingston Trio hit song of 1959, "M.T.A.," with its refrain "He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston, he's the man who never returned." Here, presented in a beautifully illustrated children's book, is the fascinating story of the song whose long history began in 1865, when it was originally written about a son gone off to sea. The lyrics went through various changes until they became "The M.T.A. Song" in 1949, written for Boston mayoral candidate Walter O'Brien's campaign. The lyrics protested a subway fare increase from ten to fifteen cents A decade later, the Kingston Trio recorded their hit version of the tune (with the candidate s name changed), and today, MBTA riders use the Charlie Card to get around Boston The book is authored by Julia O'Brien-Merrill, the daughter of Walter O'Brien, and illustrated by Caitlin Marquis."