There once was a musical troupe
A picking singing 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 mixing 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