I was born in Macon, Georgia
They kept my dad in the Macon jail
Daddy said, "Son, if you keep them hands clean
You won't hear them bloodhounds on your trail"
But I fell in with bad companions
We robbed a man up in Tennessee
The sheriff caught me way up in Nashville
They locked me up and threw away the key
I washed my hands in muddy water
Washed my hands, but they didn't come clean
Tried to do like daddy told me
But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream
Asked the jailor (asked the jailor)
When's my time up (when is my time up?)
He said, "Son (he said son)
We won't forget (we won't forget)
And if you try (if you try)
To keep your hands clean (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't hear them bloodhounds on my trail
I washed my hands in muddy water
I washed my hands, but they didn't come clean
Tried to do like daddy told me
But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream