Back and forth in a game of pickle
In that circus they work us like a bunch of borrowed mules
That girl is packing some powerful stuff, powerful stuff

That organ grinder be in a bind without me
That organ grinder be in a bind without me
I ain't nothing but the monkey in the middle
But every time that music plays, I know what to do
I ain't nothing but the monkey in the middle

And when we get home she plays me like a fiddle
But every time that music plays, sugar, I know what to do
Walking that sideshow tightrope, making ends meet
It don't take much to follow my trail, follow my trail
Walking that sideshow tight rope, making ends meet

Then it's off to work like a runaway train
Drivin' them nails, draggin' my tail
Me and my baby make that dive jump
Drivin' them nails, draggin' my tail
And then I get up like a rocket in a hurricane
Makin' sweet music with the monkey in the middle
Back and forth in a game of pickle
In that circus they work us like a bunch of borrowed mules
Every Friday night at the honky tonk
It don't take much to follow my trail, follow my trail
When our buckles bump, I tell you what