Henry's Songbook

   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)

[1990:] Learnt from a 78 recording, apparently an old country song also recorded at one time by Johnny Cash. (Intro Iain MacKintosh)

[1992:] About the first group I ever played with, back in 1963/64 [The Islanders]. (Intro Iain MacKintosh)