There once was a musical troupe
A pickin' singin' folk group
They sang the mountain ballads

And the folk songs of our land

They were long on musical ability

Folks thought they would go far
But political incompatibility led to their downfall


Well, the one on the right was on the left
And the one in the middle was on the right
And the one on the left was in the middle

And the guy in the rear was a Methodist

This musical aggregation toured the entire nation

Singing the traditional ballads
And the folk songs of our land
They performed with great virtuosity

And soon they were the rage
But political animosity prevailed upon the stage


Well, the one on the right was on the left
And the one in the middle was on the right
And the one on the left was in the middle

And the guy in the rear burned his driver's license

Well the curtain had ascended

A hush fell on the crowd
As thousands there were gathered to hear The folk songs of our land
But they took their politics seriously

And that night at the concert hall
As the audience watched deliriously
They had a free-for-all


Well, the one on the right was on the bottom
And the one in the middle was on the top

And the one on the left got a broken arm
And the guy in the rear, said, "Oh dear"


Now this should be a lesson if you plan to start a folk group
Don't go mixin' politics with the folk songs of our land
Just work on harmony and diction

Play your banjo well
And if you have political convictions keep them to yourself


Now, the one on the left works in a bank
And the one in the middle drives a truck
The one on the right's an all-night deejay

And the guy in the rear got drafted