The One On The Right Is On The Left
(Johnny Cash)

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

'Cause 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 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

'Cause 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 thousand 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 'em 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 DJ
And the guy in the rear got drafted