I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water
View chords used in this chart
G D7
I was born in Macon Georgia
G
They kept my dad in the Macon jail
G7 C
Dad said Son if you keep your hands clean
G D7 G
You won't hear them bloodhounds on your trail
D7
But I fell in with bad companions
G
We robbed a man in Tennessee
G7 C
The sheriff caught me way up in Nashville
G D7 G
They locked me up and threw away the key
D7
I washed my hands in muddy water
G
I washed my hands but they didn't come clean
G7 C
I tried to do like Daddy told me
G D7 G
But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream
D7
I asked the jailor When's my time up
G
He said son we won't forget
G7 C
And if you try to keep your hands clean
G D7 G
We may make a good man of you yet
D7
I couldn't wait to do my sentence
G
I broke out of the Nashville jail
G7 C
I just crossed the line of Georgia
G D7 G
And I can hear them bloodhounds on my trail
D7
But I fell in with bad companions
G
We robbed a man in Tennessee
G7 C
The sheriff caught me way up in Nashville
G D7 G
They locked me up and threw away the key
How to play I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is G. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.