Lyr Add: One on the Right Is on the Left (Clement)

Subject: Lyr Req: Political Folk Group Song
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 07:09 PM

Actually, I need both lyrics and tune, if possible. Chords would be helpful, but not necessary.

Friday 4/21/06, at a coffee house open mike, I heard a cute little song that I'd be enchanted to learn. It's about (as per the thread title) a folk song quartet, who were politically split:

The chorus (the first time through) went something like:

And 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 a libertarian,
and the one in the rear.......was a Methodist.

The song dealt with their tribulations dealing with the split in their ranks as they traveled around, bringing folk songs to the nation.

Anyone know, or know where I can get, this song?

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: Lyr Add: ONE ON THE RIGHT IS ON THE LEFT (Clement)
From: Peace
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 07:19 PM

"The One On The Right Is On The Left"

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 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 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 in the 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 them 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

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Political Folk Group Song
From: Peace
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 07:22 PM

It is attributed to Johnny Cash. I don't know for fact that he wrote it. .

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Political Folk Group Song
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 08:00 PM

Thanx, Peace. I remember the tune well enough, and for this little song the chords will be no problem.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Political Folk Group Song
From: Peace
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 08:16 PM

UDO, if ya need the chords, there are some here. I recall hearing the song waaaaaaay back, but couldn't recall the melody to save my life. All the best to you.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Political Folk Group Song
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 08:30 PM

Jack Clement was the writer.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Political Folk Group Song
From: Peace
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 08:31 PM

Thanks, Arkie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One on the Right Is on the Left (Clement)
From: GUEST,folk_fan
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 04:52 PM

He was never credited as the composer of this song. At least in all of
the collections that I have with this song, his name isn't in the
credits for it. Jack Clement is indeed the composer. I used to play
this one for people. Cash sings it amazingly awesome.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One on the Right Is on the Left (Clement)
From: GUEST,Ebor_fiddler
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 06:00 PM

Boy, does it bring back memories (I think!)?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One on the Right Is on the Left (Clement)
From: JennieG
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 02:11 AM

When I looked at the site Peace linked to there were no chords. Would one of you kind folk be able to post the chords for a klutz like me to play? I remember the song, but can't quite remember the tune.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One on the Right Is on the Left (Clement)
From: GUEST,Black Hawk on works PC
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 04:40 AM

GUEST,folk_fan 'He was never credited as the composer of this song.'

He is on the Johnny Cash L.P. 'Everybody Loves A Nut'.

Sung this song for years - always well received!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One on the Right Is on the Left (Clement)
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 09:43 PM

The One on the Right Is on the Left is available on emusic.com along with quite a few other recordings by Johnny Cash as well as one album by Cowboy Jack Clement. I particularly liked Clement's "Drinking Carrot Juice".

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: ONE ON THE RIGHT IS ON THE LEFT
From: GUEST,folk_fan
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 10:18 PM

Intro:                     
Pick-up on low E-string: | 3-0-2 | C | G | D7 | G

      G                  G7
There once was a musical troupe,
C                     G
A picking, singing folk group.
    C                G
They sang the mountain ballads,
       F                D    D7
And the folk songs of our land.
          G                G7
They were long on musical ability,
      C                     G
Folks thought they would go far;
      C                G
But political incompatibility,
D                G
Lead to their downfall.

         C                   G
Well the one on the right was   on the left,
       D                     G
And the one in the middle was   on the right;
       C                   G
And the one on the left was   in the middle,
       D               D7       G
And the guy on the rear    was a Methodist. (Intro)

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: ONE ON THE RIGHT IS ON THE LEFT
From: GUEST,folk_fan
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 10:22 PM

They didn't line up properly, so I placed the chords just before
the first word they're played on.

Intro:                     
Pick-up on low E-string: | 3-0-2 | C | G | D7 | G

There (G)once was a musical (G7)troupe,
A (C)picking, singing (G)folk group.
They (C)sang the mountain (G)ballads,
And the (F)folk songs of our (D)land.(D7)
They were (G)long on musical a-(G7)bility,
Folks (C)thought they would go (G)far;
But po-(C)litical incompati-(G)bility,
(D)Lead to their down-(G)fall.

Well the (C)one on the right was (G) on the left,
And the (D)one in the middle was (G) on the right;
And the (C)one on the left was (G) in the middle,
And the (D)guy on the rear (D7) was a (G)Methodist. (Intro)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One on the Right Is on the Left (Clement)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 10:36 PM

Another bloody good song that I never actually got in my rep back in the Bad Old Days . Maybe I will have a rethink !!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One on the Right Is on the Left (Clement)
From: JennieG
Date: 01 Nov 08 - 01:05 AM

Many thanks!   I shall print it out before it disappears into cyberspace, never to be seen again.

Terry....give it a go!

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One on the Right Is on the Left (Clement)
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 May 09 - 11:57 PM

I was driving along today and for unknown reasons, this song popped into my head........at least the chorus and the variant tag lines it used. I couldn't remember any verse or who it was that did it but I knew damn well I'd find it here!

Spaw

Subject: Lyr Add: THE ONE ON THE RIGHT IS ON THE LEFT
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 12:53 AM

(Apologies if this has been posted. I did a search, even on google mudcat and didn't see it. It seems quite appropriate given our current "climate.":-)

"The One On The Right Is On The Left"
by Jack Clement

recorded by Johnny Cash (youtube video)

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 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 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 in the 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 them 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

Subject: RE: ADD: One on the Right Is on the Left (JackClement)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 10:34 AM

Perhaps some of the 'Usual Suspects' in here might take this song to heart and NOT get acrimonius at the drop of a pick ! (Or a plectrum)

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 them to yourself

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One on the Right Is on the Left (Clement)
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 21 Feb 13 - 09:01 PM

G'day Catters of all persuasions,

I noticed this thread when it first sufaced c. 2006 ... and I vaguely noted that it would be worth following ... to see if someone got down the 'dots' ...

I bought the Johnny Cash LP ... probably not long after getting married [1970] ... and moving back to Sydney ... and, at the time I enjoyed the record ... but this track sort of 'grew on me' over the years. I know it's about a very different politico / musical climate from mine ... but it's worth singing every now and then ... if only to keep track of the "true line"!

I've tended to just sing it as I remember it ... but various political elements, around this end of the globe, have warranted a bit more energetic use .. and it even warrants getting down an agreed version of the tune!

I could sit down and work out my ( ... mentally folk-processed - over the last 40-odd years ... antipodean version - but I thought that there might be an agreed Mudcat MIDI by now. If so ... I can't spot it ... I'm wondering if anyone out there has committed a reasonably considered set of dots ... even filed it away somewhere in the Mudcat MIDI land - maybe, under some arcane version of the title ... ?

Hopefully: (Bob who doesn't want to wander too far from the "Right" American Country sound ... for this one!)

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One on the Right Is on the Left (Clement)
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Feb 13 - 07:14 AM

Hi Bob,

Don't worry about the tune on this.   When you lead it your version is by definition the right one.    I'm sure your record is fine, but Kat also linked earlier in the thread to a YouTube version of Johnny singing it, if that helps. If you just try to get the tune somewhat close to what Johnny sings, that's all anybody can ask.   The rest is just folk process--singing what you think the tune is. Nobody has any right to criticize you for this.

Sure seems like the song will be always timely--the reference to the draft is the only aspect which fixes it in time.    And the sense of humor is just icing on the cake.

I might well learn it too.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One on the Right Is on the Left (Clement)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Apr 19 - 01:52 AM

Here's a memorable performance of the song by the Smothers Brothers and Noel Harrison, lyrics possibly altered in Smothers Brothers fashion:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPo0MWeZL_Q