Well I fell in with bad companions Robbed a man, oh up in Tennessee They caught me way up in Nashville They locked me up and threw away the key refrain: I washed my hands in muddy water Washed my hands, but they didn't come clean Tried to do what my daddy told me But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream Well I asked the judge now when's my time up He said son, oh you know we won't forget If you try just to keep your hands clean We might just make a good man of you yet Oh I couldn't wait to get my time up I broke out, broke out of Nashville jail I just crossed the state-line of Georgia Well I can hear those bloodhounds on my trail refrain