v.1
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

Chorus:
The one on the right was in 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... drove a Buick [was a Methodist]

v.2
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

Rpt Ch:
... burned his blue care [driver's license]

v.3
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 deleriously they had a free-for-all

Rpt Ch:
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 on his rear... said "Oh dear!"

v.4
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 'em to yourself

Rpt. Ch.
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 deejay
And the guy in the rear... joined a monastery