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      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 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   A hush fell on the crowd   As thousands there were gathered   To hear the folk songs of our land      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"      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      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