There once was a musical troupe
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 [bad word] 
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
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 mixin' 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 [bad word] The one on the right's an all-night deejay
And the guy in the rear got drafted