JOHNNY RIVERS-(I WASHED MY HANDS IN) "MUDDY WATER"

ROSE TO # 19 IN 1966. LYRICS: I was home in Macon, Georgia

They kept my Daddy in the Macon jail
He said, Son, if you keep your hands clean, uh huh
You wont hear those bloodhounds on your trail

I fell in with bad companions
I robbed a man up in Tennessee
And I got caught way up in Nashville, uh huh now
And they locked me up and threw away the key

CHORUS
I washed my hands in muddy water
I washed my hands, but they didn't come clean
I tried to do like my daddy told me, now
I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream

I asked the jailer, said Whens my time up?
He said Son, you know we wont forget
And if you try and just keep your hands clean, uh huh
Why we may just make a good man of you yet

But I didn't wait to get my time in
I broke down, broke out the Nashville jail
I just crossed Atlanta, Georgia, oh now
And I can hear those bloodhounds on my trail

I washed my hands in muddy water
I washed my hands, but they didn't come clean
I tried to do like my daddy told me, now
I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Movie
• 0440

[kwanda53]

I love him!!! I have been trying to find this song....not on itunes!!!! thanks for posting!!!

[rwells47]

@kwanda53- you are very welcome- yes Johnny Rivers is one of the best! If you are looking for more of his songs check out my Johnny Rivers Playlist. So far I have posted 75 videos of his songs. Ron

[caroleyahoo1965]

I have seen him twice in the last two months and I will go see him every time I get the chance! He is an amazing timeless artist and his talent is so embedded that he sounds the same live as he does recorded, there are not many that can make that claim. He deserves to be in the hall of fame and I would love to see him get that honor. Keep right on a rock'in Johnny!

[rwells47]

@caroleyahoo1965-you are so right! The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has become a joke! There is just too much politics involved in the voting. Fans don't get to vote- and they are the most informed critics. When Johnny Rivers and Tommy James & The Shondells are NOT in a Rock Hall then something is VERY WRONG with that system! Ron

[quiltbee]

oh yes love it......i love it when he says tennessee.....thats my home.....yayyyyy...thank you.....

[rwells47]

@quiltbee - you are welcome Patty! Ron

[FlyboyLWB]

Johnny Rivers is one of my favorites

[TJW1956]

elvis version kills this

[rwells47]

@MrMatthewhogg- you're very welcome!

[KoesKoes99]

@40warhawkp haha I like the part about the VC, who liked the song too

[GonzoGuyy]

@ROMEORAUNCH You are entitled to your opinion. However let us not forget in the mid 60s these guys were it. Music is at best a personal choice. I liked the Monkees. In fact Mike Nesmith was the reason I wanted to play guitar. Most people dismiss them as actors but this is far from the truth. Mike, and Peter both could play well before the Monkees. They did all play their own instruments by the time Headquarters came out. They had an impact, and should be nominated.

[ROMEORAUNCH]

Respond to this video...  stupid american band.(monkees).

[ROMEORAUNCH]

Respond to this video... sorry,monkees.

[ROMEORAUNCH]

@GonzoGuyy I agree with all but the monkeys,they sucked.

[hendersonkelly28]

@ParkerAllen2 Thank you so much! Georgia really is a beautiful place!

[ParkerAllen2]

@retrofever1969 I live in Michigan but I would nominate your state as the inspiration for more great songs than any other: Midnight Train to Georgia, Rainy Night in Georgia, Georgia on My Mind - a lot of states have pretty good songs written about them but for some reason Georgia inspires great, soulful songs. Maybe the name is just exceptionally musical.