(J. H. Clement / ad. Iain C. MacKintosh)
There once was a musical group
A picking singing folk group
We sang traditional ballads
And the folk songs of our land
We had musical ability
Folk said we would go far
But political incompatibility
Led to our downfall
Because 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 one at the back played the banjo
This musical congregation
Toured round the nation
Singing Streets of London
And the folk songs of our land
We performed with virtuosity
Soon we were all the rage
But political animosity
Prevailed upon the stage
Because 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 one at the back played the banjo
One night we began to play
And a hush fell on the crowd
Who had gathered in their thousands
To hear the folk songs of our land
We took our politics seriously
In the concert hall that night
While the audience watched deliriously
The group began to fight
And 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 was in the middle
And the one at the rear said, Oh dear
So let this be a lesson
If you want to sing in a folk group
Never mix politics
With the folk songs of your land
Practise singing and diction
And play your banjo well
If you have political convictions
Just keep them to yourself
'Cause now the one on the right works in a bank
The one in the middle drives a truck
The one on the left is a d. j.
And the one at the back brought his banjo here today
(as sung by Iain MacKintosh)