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.
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 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 deejay.
And the guy in the rear got drafted.
THE ONE ON THE RIGHT IS ON THE LEFT
Written by: Jack Clement
Performed by: Johnny Cash
Appears on: Everybody Love a Nut-1966, 20 Foot-Tappin' Greats-1978, Hello, I'm Johnny Cash-1992, The Essential Johnny Cash-2002, Bigger Than Life Collection-2005