Charlie at the NSDA

by Frank Riccobono

At the suggestion of his coach, I wrote these alternate lyrics to The Kingston Trio’s “Charlie on the MTA” to celebrate her student's (i.e. Charlie) second time in finals of student congress at the 2018 National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament held in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Let me tell you the story

Of a man named Charlie

On a humid south Florida day

He prepped each bill in the docket,

Thanked his coach and teammates

Went to speak at the NSDA

Chorus:

Did he ever affirm,

Yes, he’d speak to affirm

And negate with the skills he’d learned

(What a trooper)

He may speak forever

Goin’ session after session

In the chamber that never adjourned.

Charlie straightened up his placard

As the P.O. called for order

And he stood to debate the first bill.

Hours later, chamber never moved to

Previous Question

Charlie’s there debating still.

Chorus:

Did he ever affirm,

Yes, he’d speak to affirm

And negate with the skills he’d learned

(The poor Parli)

He may speak forever

Goin’ session after session

In the chamber that never adjourned.

Charlie's coach goes to wait

Just outside the chamber

Every day to show her support

And during each brief recess

She hands Charlie a snack

At that Bonaventure Resort.

(3-minute banjo solo followed by 1 minute mandatory questioning)

Now you citizens of Natick,

Don't you think it's a triumph

That your student got a finals replay?

Watch the finals stream

You know that we’ll be tryin’

To cheer for Charlie at the NSDA.

Chorus: Where he’ll speak to affirm,

Yes he'll speak to affirm

And negate with the skills he’d learned

He may speak forever

Goin’ session after session

In the chamber that never adjourned

In the chamber that never adjourned

In the chamber that never adjourned

Like what you read? There's more!