The One On The Left Is On The Right

Johnny Cash

Tom: C

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There once was a musical troupe a pickin singin folk group 
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they sang the mountain ballads and the folk songs of our land 
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They were long on musical ability folks thought they would go far 
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but political incompatibility led to their downfall 
 
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well the one on the right was on the left 
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and the one in the middle was on the right 
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and the one on the left was in the middle 
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and the guy in the rear was a Methodist * 
 
This musical agregation 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 drivers 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 
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 
dont 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 fem 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 rightFs an all-night deejay 
and the guy in the rear got drafted *