G6 C9 G6 D7
[VERSE 1]
G6 D7
I was born---in Macon Georgia,
G6
They kept my dad---in the Macon jail.
G G7 C9
Dad said,“Son,--if you keep your hands clean,
G6 D7 G6
You won’t hear them bloodhounds on your trail.”
[VERSE 2]
G6 D7
But I fell in with---bad companions,
G6
We robbed a man---up in Tennessee.
G G7 C9
The sheriff caught me---way up in Nashville,
G6 D7 G6
They locked me up and threw away the key.
[CHORUS]
G6 D7
I washed my hands---in muddy water.
G6
I washed my hands---but they didn’t come clean.
G G7 C9
I tried to do---like my Daddy told me,
G6 D7 G6
But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream.
----[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]-----------------
[VERSE 3]
G6 D7
I asked the jailor---when my time is up.
G6
He said,"Son,---we won't forget.
G G7 C9
And if you try---to keep your hands clean
G6 D7 G6
We might make a good man of you yet."
[VERSE 4]
G6 D7
I couldn’t wait---to do my sentence.
G6
I broke out of --- the Nashville jail.
G G7 C9
I just crossed---the line of Georgia,
G6 D7 G6
And I can hear them bloodhounds on my trail.
[CHORUS]
G6 D7
I washed my hands---in muddy water.
G6
I washed my hands---but they didn’t come clean.
G G7 C9
I tried to do---like my Daddy told me,
G6 D7 G6
But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream.
-----------[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]----------------
[CHORUS]
G6 D7
I washed my hands---in muddy water.
G6
I washed my hands---but they didn’t come clean.
G G7 C9
I tried to do---like my Daddy told me,
G6 D7 G6
But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream.
G6 C9 G6 D7 GM7 (Big note ending)
