I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water
Recorded by Stonewall Jackson 1965
Recorded by Johnny Rivers 1966
Lyrics and music by Joseph T. Babcock
D A7
I was born - - in Macon, Georgia
D
They kept my dad - - in the Macon jail
D7 G
Dad said "Son, if you keep your hands clean
D A7 D
You won't hear them bloodhounds on your trail"
D A7
But I fell in - - with bad companions
D
We robbed a man - - in Tennessee
D7 G
The sheriff caught me - - way up in Nashville
D A7 D
They locked me up and threw away the key
Chorus:
D A7
I washed my hands - - in muddy water
D
I washed my hands - - but they didn't come clean
D7 G
I tried to do - - like Daddy told me
D A7 D
But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream
I asked the jailor - - "When's my time up?"
He said "Son - - we won't forget
And if you try - - to keep your hands clean
We may make a good man of you yet"
I couldn't wait - - to do my sentence
I broke out of the Nashville jail
I just crossed - - the line of Georgia
And I can hear them bloodhounds on my trail
Repeat chorus
(Tag)
Yes I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream