The One on the Right Is on the Left:Johnny Cash.
#35 on CANADIAN RPM TOP Singles, #46 on BB Hot
100 and #2 on BB Hot Country on COLUMBIA Records
in 1966.
INTRO: D A E A
#1.
A D
There once was a musical troupe, a pickin' singin'
A
folk group.
D A
They sang the mountain ballads and the folk songs
E
of our land.
A D
They were long on musical ability..folks thought they
A
would go far.
D A E A
But political incompatibility led to their downfall.
CHORUS:
D A E
Well, the one on the right was on the left and the one
A
in the middle was on the right.
D A E
And the one on the left was in the middle and the guy
A
in the rear, was a Methodist.
INTERLUDE: D A E A
#2.
A D A D
This musical aggregation toured the entire nation, singing
A G E
the traditional ballads and the folk songs of our lannnnd.
A D
They performed with great virtuosity and soon they were the
A
rage.
D A E A
But political animosity prevailed upon the stage.
CHORUS:
D A E
Well, the one on the right was on the left and the one
A
in the middle was on the right.
D A E
And the one on the left was in the middle and the guy
A
in the rear, burned his driver's license.
INTERLUDE: D A E A
#3.
A D A
Well, the curtain had ascended, a hush fell on the crowd.
D A
As thousands there were gathered, to hear The folk songs
G E
of our land.
A D
But they took their politics seriously and that night at
A D A
the concert hall, as the audience watched deliriously..
E A
they had a free-for-all.
CHORUS:
D A E
Well, the one on the right was on the bottom and the one
A
in the middle was on the top.
D A E
And the one on the left got a broken arm and the guy in
A
the rear, said, "Oh, dear."
INTERLUDE: D A E A
#4.
A D A
Now, this should be a lesson, if you plan to start a folk
group.
D A E
Don't go mixin' politics with the folk songs of our land.
A D A
Just work on harmony and diction, play your banjo well.
D A E A
And if you have political convictions, keep them to yourself.
CHORUS:
D A E
Now, the one on the left works in a bank and the one in the
A
middle drives a truck.
D A E
The one on the right's an all-night deejay and the guy in
A
the rear, got drafted.
OUTRO: D A E A
A sixties smash from Kraziekhat.
