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There once was a musical troupe
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A pickin' singin' folk group
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They sang the mountain ballads
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And the folk songs of our land
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They were long on musical ability
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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
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This musical aggregation toured the entire nation
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Singing the traditional ballads
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And the folk songs of our land
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They performed with great virtuosity
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And soon they were the rage
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But political animosity prevailed upon the stage
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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 burned his driver's license
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Well the curtain had ascended
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A hush fell on the crowd
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As thousands there were gathered to hear The folk songs of our land
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But they took their politics seriously
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And that night at the concert hall
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As the audience watched deliriously
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They had a free-for-all
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Well, the one on the right was on the bottom
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And the one in the middle was on the top
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And the one on the left got a broken arm
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And the guy in the rear, said, "Oh dear"
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Now this should be a lesson if you plan to start a folk group
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Don't go mixin' politics with the folk songs of our land
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Just work on harmony and diction
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Play your banjo well
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And if you have political convictions keep them to yourself
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Now, the one on the left works in a bank
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And the one in the middle drives a truck
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The one on the right's an all-night deejay
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And the guy in the rear got drafted
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The One on the Left is on the Right
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Johnny Cash |