I wrote this during the T-Radio hoopla, and I never did put it in typed form, what with the whole thing blowing over faster than anticipated. I thought I might as well share. Enjoy. (To clarify, the T-Radio spectre has not reared its vapid and annoying head again; this is now anachronistic.)

Buskers On The M(B)TA (with apologies to whoever needs them)

Spoken:
These are the times that try our souls. In the course of our nation's history, the people of Boston have rallied bravely whenever the rights of people have been threatened. Today, a new crisis has arisen. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, better known as the M. B. T. A., is attempting to levy a burdensome torment on the population in the form of T-Radio. Citizens, hear me out! This could happen to you!

Well, let me tell you all a story of the subway buskers
On a tragic and fateful day
They all headed underground, but to their amazement,
There was radio in the subway

CHORUS
Did they ever return? No, they never returned,
And their fate is still unlearned
Now there's just commercials 'neath the streets of Boston
'cause the music never returned

The musicians set up in their spot at North Station
But before they could play a note,
A speaker crackled, blasted out a commercial
And the day's latest stock quotes.

CHORUS

The musicians called the T, and the T folks answered,
"Why must you make a fuss?
All those fare increases, they just didn't do it,
More money needs to come to us!"

CHORUS

Now all day long, buskers sit in the station
Crying "What will become of us?
It's cold outside and we can't play in the subway
And it's too crowded on the bus!"

CHORUS

No more guitars or singing, no more fiddles or banjos
The accordians have gone away
Now there's piped-in pop music, and ads, and sports scores
And the lotto numbers of the day.

CHORUS

All you citizens of Boston, don't you think it's a scandal
For the T to take live music away?
Let them know your feelings, contact Dan Grabauskas,
Keep live music on the MBTA!

Or else we'll never return, no we'll never return
And our fate will stay unlearned
There'll be just commercials 'neath the streets of Boston
'cause the music will never return!