I was born - - in Macon, Georgia
They kept my dad - - in the Macon jail
Dad said "Son, if you keep your hands clean
You won't hear them bloodhounds on your trail"
But I fell in - - with bad companions
We robbed a man - - 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
I washed my hands - - but they didn't come clean
I tried to do - - like Daddy told me
But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream
I asked the jailor - - "When's my time up?"