the one on the right is on the left

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"