G G7 C G
There once was a musical troop a pickin' singin' folk group
C G D7
They sang the mountain ballads and the folk songs of our land
G G7 C G
They were long on musical ability folks thought they would go far
C G D7 G
But political incompatibility led to their downfall
C G
Well the one on the right was on the left
D7 G
And the one on the middle was on the right
C G
And the one on the left was in the middle
D7 G
And the guy in the rear was a Methodist
G7 C G
This musical aggregation toured the entire nation
C G D7
Singing traditional ballads and the folk songs of our land
G G7 C G
They performed with great virtuosity and soon they were the rage
C G D7 G
But political animosity prevailed upon the stage
C G
Well the one on the right was on the left
D7 G
And the one on the middle was on the right
C G
And the one on the left was in the middle
D7 G
And the guy in the rear burned his driver's license
G7 C G
When the curtain had ascended a hush fell on the crowd
C G D7
As thousands there were gathered to hear the folk songs of our land
G G7
But they took their politics seriously
C G
And that night at the concert hall
C G D7 G
As the audience watched deliriously they had a free for all
C G
Well the one on the right was on the bottom
D7 G
And the one on the middle was on the top
C G
And the one on the left got a broken arm
D7 G
And the guy on his rear said oh dear
G7 C G
Now this should be a lesson if you plan to start a folk group
C G D7
Don't go mixing politics with the folk songs of our land
G G7 C G
Just work on harmony and diction play your banjo well
C G D7 G
And if you have political conviction keep 'em to yourself
C G
Now the one on the left works in the bank
D7 G
And the one on the middle drives a truck
C G
The one on the right's an all night DJ
D7 G
And the guy in the rear got drafted
