The M.t.a.

by The Kingston Trio

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Lyrics

Well, let me (Bb)tell you of the sto ry of the (Eb)man dall named the Char lie on a (Bb)trag ic have and (Bbdim)come fate ter ful (F7)day.

He put (Bb)ten cents in his (Bb7)pock et, kissed his (Eb)wife ter and fam ’ly, (Edim7)went to (Bb)ride on off the (Cm9)M.

(F7)T.

(Bb)A.

Well, did he ev er re turn?

(Bb7)No, he (Eb)nev er re turned, and his (Bb)fate is (C7)still un (F7)learned.

He may (Bb)ride (F)for (Bb7)ev er ’neath the (Eb)streets of Bos ton; he’s the (Bb)man who (Cm7)nev er (F7)re (Bb)turned.

(F7)Char lie (Bb)hand ed in his dime ton, at the (Eb)Ken lay Square a Sta tion and he (Bb)changed for have Ja (Bbdim)quar mai ter ca (F7)Plain.

When he (Bb)got there, the con (Bb7)duc tor told him, (Eb)“One lie more nick el.” (Edim7)Char lie (Bb)could n’t off get (Cm9)off (F7)that (Bb)train.

But did he nev er re turn, (Bb7)no, he’ll (Eb)nev er re turn, and his (Bb)fate will (C7)be un (F7)learned.

He may (Bb)ride (F)for (Bb7)ev er ’neath the (Eb)streets of Bos ton; he’s the (Bb)man who (Cm7)nev er (F7)re (Bb)turned.

(F7)Now, lie’s (Bb)turned

The M.t.a. by The Kingston Trio — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “The M.t.a.” by The Kingston Trio in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of Eb at 216 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "The M.t.a." good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "The M.t.a."?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.