Let me tell you of the story

Of a man named Charlie

On a tragic and fateful day

He put ten bucks in his pocket,

Kissed his wife and family

Went to ride on Sound Transit's train

Charlie handed in his money

At the Everett station

And he changed for Tacoma's train

When he got there the conductor told him,

"One more dollar,"

Charlie couldn't get off that train

Chorus: 

         Did he ever return,

         No he never returned

         And his fate is still unlearn'd

         He may ride forever

         Through the streets of Seattle

         He's the man who never returned

Now all night long

Charlie rides through the stations

Saying, "What will become of me?

How can I afford to see

My sister in Auburn

Or my cousin at the University?"

Charlie's wife goes down

To the Sumner station

Every day at quarter past two

And through the open window

She hands Charlie a sandwich

As the train comes rumblin' through

Now you citizens of Washington,

If you think it's a scandal

How the people have to pay and pay

Fight the fare increase

Vote for Dino Rossi!

To get Charlie off the ST Train

Chorus: 

Or else he'll never return,

No he'll never return

And his fate will be unlearned

He may ride forever

Through the streets of Seattle

He's the man (Who's the man)

He's the man who never returned

He's the man (Oh, the man)

He's the man who never returned

He's the man who never returned