Thursday, January 31, 2013

The Kingston Trio and Poor Old Charlie


Do you remember the Kingston Trio? Even when I was looking through YouTube videos, I couldn't really place their faces.... but I sure remembered their striped shirts!

Now their songs, that's a whole different animal -- I think I can probably sing every one of them from start to finish, they are so etched in my soul. Wonderful folk ballads written in a different era and in a style not often heard these days.




There was a time during the 60s that folk songs and groups were plentiful and popular, and I think that's the era that I remember of the Kingston Trio.



Tom Dooley was from their first album and was based on a real event -- the 1866 murder of a woman named Laura Foster in North Carolina. Her fiance' Tom Dooley (actually was spelled 'Dula' but pronounced 'Dooley') was a Confederate veteran and was convicted of her murder and hanged in 1868.



The M.T.A is a fun song which tells of a man named Charlie who is trapped on the Boston subway -- he can't get off because he doesn't have the extra nickel needed for the "exit fare" that had just been established. So his wife hands him a sandwich through the window each day (but for some reason does not give him that nickel)!!
The chorus:

Did he ever return?
No he never returned
And his fate is still unlearn'd
He may ride forever
'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man who never returned.

Now this song became hubby's and my anthem for whenever we took a wrong turn somewhere and couldn't seem to get back on track (and of course, we could never ask for directions!!)

A bit of fun information -- now there is the "CharlieCard" which the Boston area transit authority named it's card-based fare collection system in 2004. The Kingston Trio performed the song at the dedication ceremony.

I think poor old Charlie needed a CharlieCard!!



Where Have All the Flowers Gone is one of their most beautiful, and heart wrenching, songs. Written by Pete Seeger in 1955 as a call for peace, there have been many singers who have sung their renditions, but none more poignantly than the Kingston Trio. If you're like me, you'll view this video through tears.

Sadly, it still applies today.

   
♥♥♥  Linking The Kingston Trio over at Miss Jenny's for Alphabe-Thursday where we are studying the letter K.

Jenny Matlock

♥♥

17 comments:

Duni said...

Unfortunately I can't view/listen to any of the above videos, but the title "where have all the flowers gone" rings a bell. Must see if I can access it over here. Even the title is sad.

Paige @ Little Nostalgia said...

I don't think I've heard of them before, but now I have some new music to listen to while I eat my breakfast. :-)

Judie said...

We saw "The New Kingston Trio" at a casino show in Arizona several years ago. Great walk down Memory Lane! The originals are still the best, though.

Lola said...

Such an interesting *K* post – great memories!

Visiting from Alphabe-Thursday

Erin said...

I wasn't familiar with the Kingston Trio so thanks for introducing me! :-)

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful post for 'k' ~ loved the Kingston Trio ~ fun music ~

Carol of A Creative Harbor ^_^

Sandy said...

Yes, I too remember them and their
music...Good K word!
Thanks so much for your visit and
your sweet comments.
Sandy

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

They came along just as I was becoming aware of music and I loved them!!

Thanks for making me remember...

Lmkazmierczak said...

Good to reminisce♫ Thanks for sharing♥

storybeader said...

great post! I remember the Kingston Trio too - love the sound of the banjo! {:-D

Memories for Life said...

I don't remember the band, but I do remember the song Where Have All the Flowers Gone. Fun post.

Midwestern City Girl said...

Very interesting "K" post. I have heard of the Kingston Trio, but the only song I recognize is "Where have all the Flowers Gone." Didn't even know it was written by Pete Seeger, but it sounds like it would be one of his. He's sort of the Woody Guthrie of his generation.

Judy Nolan said...

You have certainly collected some great trivia about the Kingston Trio. Sadly, I am not very good with remembering song titles and the groups who did them, but even I recall "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?"

Pondside said...

Oh yes, I remember them well and we sing just about every one of their songs when we're on road trips. Do you remember 'The Ghost of Ann Bolyn?

Eden House News and views said...

Oh lovely thank you my aunt use to play all the time

AntiquityTravelers said...

I do remember these guys, and that is one of my favorite songs ... where have all the flowers gone. what a gorgeous song that is!

Jenny said...

My computer is partially disconnected for the move so I'm saddened to not be able to listen to these songs!

I love this group...and these are some of my all-time favorite songs!

Thanks for the smile!

And for sharing such a kool link this week.

A+

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