Now playing

Muddy Water

Chords

4.527 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Amajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Muddy Water:Johnny Rivers.
#19 in '66.
#1.
DI was down in Macon AGeorgia.
They kept my daddy over in Macon Djail.
He told me if you keep your Ghands clean.
DYou won't hear them Abloodhounds on your Dtrail.
#2.
DWell, I fell in with bad Acompanions.
Robbed a mail train up in TennesDsee.
They caught me way up in GNashville.
and they Dlocked me up and Athrew away the Dkey.
CHORUS:
DI washed my hands in muddy Awater.
I washed my hands, but they didn't come Dclean.
I tried to do what my daddy Gtold me..
But I Dmust have washed my Ahands in a muddy Dstream.
#3.
DWell, I asked the jailer, now, when's my Atime up?
He said son, you know we won't forDget.
If you try just to keep your Ghands clean.
We Dmight just make a Agood man of you Dyet.
#4.
EOh, I couldn't wait to get my Btime in.
I broke out of the Nashville Ejail.
I just crossed Atlanta, AGeorgia,
and EI can hear those Bbloodhounds on my Etrail.
CHORUS:(x2)
EI washed my hands in muddy Bwater.
I washed my hands, but they didn't come Eclean.
I tried to do what my daddy Atold me..
But I Emust have washed my Bhands in a muddy Estream.
A sixties smash from Kraziekhat.

All chords in this song (5)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Muddy Water

by Johnny Rivers

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Muddy Water:Johnny Rivers.

#19 in '66.

#1.

D A

I was down in Macon Georgia.

They kept my daddy over in Macon jail.

He told me if you keep your hands clean.

D A D

You won't hear them bloodhounds on your trail.

#2.

D A

Well, I fell in with bad companions.

Robbed a mail train up in Tennessee.

They caught me way up in Nashville.

D A D

and they locked me up and threw away the key.

CHORUS:

D A

I washed my hands in muddy water.

I washed my hands, but they didn't come clean.

I tried to do what my daddy told me..

D A D

But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream.

#3.

D A

Well, I asked the jailer, now, when's my time up?

He said son, you know we won't forget.

If you try just to keep your hands clean.

D A D

We might just make a good man of you yet.

#4.

E B

Oh, I couldn't wait to get my time in.

I broke out of the Nashville jail.

I just crossed Atlanta, Georgia,

E B E

and I can hear those bloodhounds on my trail.

CHORUS:(x2)

E B

I washed my hands in muddy water.

I washed my hands, but they didn't come clean.

I tried to do what my daddy told me..

E B E

But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream.

A sixties smash from Kraziekhat.

About Muddy Water Chords by Johnny Rivers

Learn how to play Muddy Water by Johnny Rivers with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Muddy Water chords”, “Muddy Water guitar chords”, or “Johnny Rivers Muddy Water chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Muddy Water chords and for experienced players who want accurate Muddy Water lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, A, G, E, B.

FAQ — Muddy Water by Johnny Rivers

How do I play "Muddy Water" by Johnny Rivers on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Muddy Water" by Johnny Rivers on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Muddy Water" by Johnny Rivers free?

Yes. The chords for "Muddy Water" by Johnny Rivers are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Muddy Water" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Muddy Water" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Muddy Water"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Muddy Water" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Muddy Water" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Muddy Water" by Johnny Rivers with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Rivers below.

What key is "Muddy Water" in?

The chords for "Muddy Water" show the original chord names (including D, A, G, E, B). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.