Grateful Dead - I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water 12/5/71

Live at Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden on 12/5/71

[@danielorlando8172]

Let us all please give thanks to the tape traders and everyone else who snuck in recording devices throughout the years. The boys were so tolerant of bootlegging because they knew most live recordings would never make it to the radio . If it means to anyone my most cherished bootleg recording is June 14th 1974. It begins with us blues and ends with ship of fools.

[@epiclasersharks1866]

i am 175 years old and this is the greatest tune i've heard

[@isorokudono]

You and the real music man, Roscoe Halcomb, right? HA.

[@vernaburns1629]

Well, that makes me a couple of years younger than you.

[@msg238]

Pretty effn old.

[@kevinguillman4190]

i have 12 middle right fingers. sweet sweet justice

[@louisevad6091]

I’m billions of years old and they don’t make ‘em like this no more

[@lhk1951]

i was there--sitting about 20 rows back dead center. they never played this song again. what a night. 71 was my favorite year. the best bar band in the universe!

[@msg238]

Bar band?

[@gratefulkm]

@@msg238 its funny the paths some people take, but the MUSIC gets everyone eventually, because the Music is the key, And I love to Spin for hours on LSD at every gig i go to , But the Music is the trick :)

[@haikat4]

@@msg238 the dead played in bars for the first couple years of their existence. the warlocks were pretty much exclusively a bar band

[@msg238]

@@haikat4 not in 1971

[@sananto6896]

Man......freaking awesome sound......el Jerry with golden fingers.....thanks for posting.

[@gailbrown6133]

That is one of the best things I ever heard and I am 73 !!!

[@davegrabowski6123]

Thats pretty cool but listen to garcia saunders and youll be blown away

[@MarkMasters...]

Humble to you......aint music awesome!.....

[@hippiejohn334]

@@MarkMasters... quite Beautiful music is indeed 😋

[@weirdead829]

How you doing at 76?

[@davidhickenbottom6574]

originally recorded by country Legend Stonewall Jackson

[@keithap100]

I have this concert on bootleg vinyl. This is my favorite cut. Jerry and the boys at their peak!

[@Bodhidrop]

I had a tape of that LP in high school! Fun memories.

[@harryhood1919]

Foolishly thought I heard every song the Dead have played, didn't think I would come across any new ones as someone that's been listening to them since the late '80's. Thanks for this, what a great cover! Jerry is the man!

[@stealurface7737]

Holy wow this is good....might be my fav dead recording ever. So lazy and sweet. Can always always listen to the gd and never get tired of em

[@stealurface7737]

yeah you got that right brother…oh wait, dat me. Cant beileve its been 2 fuckin years!

[@namijnebruhtra7683]

I wasn't even born yet But I do love this song especially

[@hughmcgrane9283]

My first show with the “Cosmic Cowboys” ( well, if you want to hear the cowboy tunes you had to sit through the space, right?); NRPS opening with Jerry playing the pedal steel as Marmaduke calling for Bobby Ace from the bottom of the deck to the stage! I had just started playing guitar and since that night I’ve never put it down!

[@lzrdkng79]

A search of the Dead never fails to yield something great. I just never get tired of listening searching and exploring this beautiful music. Great Post. Forever Grateful

[@lzrdkng79]

The dead, amazing as always and KZbin is great to explore things you've never heard from them

[@thomasmantellwilliam]

You can say that again!

[@bluesriot2]

+Thomas Travis the show was broadcast over the fm airwaves and was very much heard by many people - also because it was broadcast - found t's way onto many many vinyl bootlegs - was my first Dead Boot ....

[@tombanjo4307]

This was my very first cassette of what became a legendary collection...12/5/71...never forgot the feelings this brought out of me...I was hooked..addicted .. the Dead rarely played I Washed My Hands..Awesome..Sounds like You Win Again🌹💀

[@marcelburger2436]

Elvis sings it in 71... Old song

[@markmegalos8474]

This song was always a personal fav. We had a recording from the King Biscuit Flower hour on 8 track. : )

[@tednorton5150]

i love this song

[@namijnebruhtra7683]

Oh my goodness what beautiful music

[@peterward9446]

What a magnificient, soulful tribute to the 'Cowboy-Christian' songwriter "Cowboy Joe" Babcock's lyrical genius ... a tribute only a master country-blues picker, like Jerry [ & Co.] could deliver... "Cowboy Joe" Babcock's Musical Credits Include: Hit Songwriter; Vocalist with the Glaser Brothers and Marty Robbins; Co-Founder of "The Nashville Edition" Session Vocal Group (second only to "The Jordanaires" for number of Nashville HIT Recordings Performed On); Castmember of "Hee Haw" for 25 Years, Leader of the "HEE HAW Gospel Quartet" and Member of the "HEE HAW Cowboy Quartet"!

[@pjbscript]

!!!!

[@greenmanwl]

My favorite Grateful Dead song, a cover, played only this one time....

[@porkchopspapi5757]

I thought it was only done once also.

[@andreegross]

Done by Stonewall Jackson decades before ❤. Check it out . I love this version also.

[@broncobrian2344]

Very true and the original is great country music. Most Deadhead types know the Johnny Rivers version.

[@greenmanwl]

My favorite grateful dead song, well, song they played. They only played it this one time, at a small hall that used to be within the msg complex, the felt forum. I had this on vinyl and it was an amazing show, comes a time, and way more. On ucsc GD archives is the whole show...

[@cosmichousesounds1514]

How do you have this on vinyl??

[@Robmar54]

I know the Dead base says they played it once but I thought they did it another time acoustically in spring 70 as well in one of the rider Dead shows. This song was on the 1st group of bootlegs I received in 1972. Yes , I started collecting quite early.

[@moosewizard33]

I have this on vinyl currently! Jerry is wearing such a sweet jacket on the cover

[@moosewizard33]

I acquired it on vinyl this year, that’s how I even found out about this song!

[@edwinhurwitz6792]

I had this on vinyl in the 70s as well. It is a great show indeed. The Comes a Time is the quintessential version for me.

[@bitterootfarm]

This is the ONLY time they ever played this song!!! Ever!!!

[@DaveB-hg7el]

Even though I'm writing you 12 years after you posted your comment, I had to say thank you for sharing this info. I hope you will see my reply and the thanks for your comment. Peace 💚

[@bitterootfarm]

@@DaveB-hg7el 🤙🏽

[@greenmanwl]

My monthly listen. My fav Jerry recording ever!

[@brandonvalentine2555]

They shoulda picked this one up for good. What a great cover

[@joshuateubanks4302]

I love this more than I love rain.

[@GregStreib]

Thanks for posting! I have not heard this in many years. I had a bootleg record years ago that had this song.

[@millerezra8]

Stonewall Jackson brought me here, and I’m sure glad he did

[@davidhickenbottom6574]

Huge Stone wall fan.

[@RonnieDickerson-xv6hq]

Stonewall Jackson and Faron Young

[@BuddyWillis]

Jerry looks super cool with that Les Paul

[@haikat4]

They should have kept this song in rotation.

[@jojoturano1]

So soothing to my soul

[@tomhogan7647]

Never gets old

[@CatfishSkinner]

Damn, I love this tune!!!!

[@CatfishSkinner]

WOW! I hadn't heard this 1 till now! COOL!!

[@KurtKnutsen]

had this on tape,this show made deadhead at 11 years old! still dead head head at 53!

[@denniscampbell6185]

I used to have an excellent board of this show, but this tune was not part of it. Thanks for filling in the blank Mr.Gray. No doubt a tribute to the most famous bluesman of all time. I am grateful that I have finally heard it.

[@billyjackwashburn6970]

I learned today that even Elvis recorded this song. But I only know this song from Stonewall Jackson. At 63 y/o I know little to nothing about Greatful Dead. Couldn't tell you nothing they ever sang but I heard talk of them many years ago, so I'm not knocking them.

[@govindaanand2284]

I'M THREE AND A HALF YEARS OLD AND THIS IS THE FOURTH BESTEST SONG I DONE EVER HEARED AFTER HIPPIE BIRTHDAY, THE HOUSE OF THE RISING PUN, AND TICKLE TWINKLE.

[@pjbscript]

mary had a little lamb, duh?

[@mrbobevans]

Joe Babcock, the most underrated songwriter of our time.

[@richardmoss3785]

thanxxx billy...

[@philagerryberry7148]

Just that I was there 12/5/1971, No Tom C. No Mickey Hart.Just Jerry, Bobby , Phil,PigPen, & Bill K. - 6 night's of shows.They played 3 show's then a day off and 3 more, Best show ever .

[@cycloptical26]

Didn't Jerry play pedal steel with the NRPS who opened? I kinda' remember that but it was so long ago.

[@456subway]

Keith Godchaux was there too.

[@davidgreen9941]

And Keith G.

[@456subway]

@@cycloptical26 By then it was Buddy Cage.

[@MaggieF59]

Jug-Band Rock and Roll. I love this.

[@DennisCampbell777]

Good call. Gospel too.

[@claymationwaves]

I'm gonna start calling him Phillip Lesh because he deserves it!! I'll still call Jerry Jerry LOL I love that tone and control yet it's free sound from him it's sick I can't handle it!!

[@chermed3591]

Amen ❤

[@jeanhartely]

How Excellent, excellent, excellent. Thank you!

[@maryplaidy6814]

Makes me long for the 70s again. I was young then.

[@jimeagan3057]

I was there

[@alanniederland3477]

I think one of the NY radio stations - WNEW or WPLJ - broadcast this show live and I taped it! Long lost...is this on a Dick's Picks or elsewhere? Found it here: bt.etree.org/details.php?id=530203 Great!

[@wackery_zeimer]

Love it!

[@douglasnorris109]

"Hey you with the sweatshuht! SITDOWN!" Lol

[@peacepaint917]

Love

[@unluckyjose]

Never heard a better tune in my 185 years of livin

[@rtothes936]

I can tell the future, look whats in your hand

[@vicenterodriguez509]

Best ones!!!!!

[@staticchair]

Jerry killin” that twang

[@frederickgrayson5177]

The whole show is available here: archive.org/details/gd71-12-05.prefm.miller.3391.sbeok.shnf Tons more here: archive.org/details/GratefulDead?sort=titleSorter

[@MrDorbel]

adorable

[@louapicella4161]

have mercy

[@Seoulsmoke]

This was 'released' on dead.net Taper's Section.

[@leftoverspaghetti4u]

Grateful

[@2011musicfactory]

Awesome

[@smokynmonkee5054]

I had a bootleg lp of this show ! Somehow it's vanished..... 🌹

[@chumsk8]

They played this at Harpur College in '70 also

[@wrm591]

No they didn't this was the only time they played it

[@greenmanwl]

Yep,what Bill said. Trust us, we've looked, or I assume Bill has as I have...

[@kenttekulve5506]

He's thinking of Cold Jordan. It also mentions water in the chorus, but listen again to your Harpur tape and you will wash your hands of this muddy misconception.

[@catfish_otiel]

This version selected for our Gospel According to Jerry playlist - kzbin.info/aero/PLOSKHHQKHtm73kWRbYLDLuFnim6opZ4t7&si=y0TN62Tq_Pfu7c6h

[@gymrat22able]

There wasn't a lot of portable video equipment avaliable in the early '70's...but this is kind of an historical tune.I think it's the ONLY time they ever did this one as The Dead( although I believe jerry did it a few times w/ JGB)

[@pageluvva]

Was this the only time they played it? It is so damn good.

[@nickjones3014]

This is my Stoned goto track

[@MarkMasters...]

He will always know.....

[@chumsk8]

@bitterootfarm they played this at harpur college '70

[@bootlegbill63]

No they didn't

[@joelhoward8211]

Never heard the Dead do this one before.

[@TheRealForrestGeorge]

I washed my hands in muddy water I washed my hands but they wouldn't come clean I washed my hands in muddy water But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream Well I was born in ol' Virginia North Carolina, I did roam If I'd listen to what daddy told me I would not be so all alone

[@weirdead829]

Thanks Forrest..

[@peggy2360]

❤⚡💙

[@andreegross]

I was born in Macon, Georgia Kept my dad in the Macon jail Daddy said, "Son if you keep them hands clean You won't hear them bloodhounds on your trail" But I fell in with bad companions We robbed a man up in Tennessee The sheriff caught me way up in Nashville They locked me up and threw away the key I washed my hands (washed my hands) In muddy water (muddy water) I washed my hands (washed my hands) But they didn't come clean (they didn't come clean) Tried to do like Daddy told me (oh) But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream Asked the jailor, (asked the jailor) "Jailor, when is my time up?" (when is my time up?) He said, "Son, (he said son) we won't forget, (we won't forget) An' if you try, (if you try) just to keep your hands clean, (keep your hands clean) We may make a good boy of you yet" But I couldn't wait (couldn't wait) To do my sentence (do my sentence) An' I broke out (I broke out) Of the Nashville jail (Nashville jail) An' I just crossed that line of Georgia And I can't hear them bloodhounds on my trail 'Cause I washed my hands (washed my hands) In muddy water (muddy water) I washed my hands (washed my hands) But they didn't come clean (they didn't come clean) Tried to do like Daddy told me (oh) But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream Ah, um, um, um, um, um Um, um, um Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Joe Babcock I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water lyrics © Mariposa Music, Mariposa Music, Inc.

[@kozmikken]

me too!

[@mattandtina3591]

Mick Rock photo I believe

[@agapelove992]

Great

[@jasonswift9310]

Who's here from 2052?

[@tgipson20]

Stonewall Jackson brought me here. But humboldt county hippies made me stay.

[@philagerryberry7148]

T.C had left the group , & micky H dad stole $ 73.000 from the dead and he didnot want to play until he payed it back . He did, The End

[@williedixon1180]

Wouldn't be allows to play this song now...was written by a man named STONEWALL JACKSON

[@RonnieDickerson-xv6hq]

I love the way Stonewall Jackson sings it!

[@andreegross]

Joe Babcock, but Stonewall did it best.

[@mikeyfreshh99fresh88]

i washed my hands but they wouldn't come clean

[@DennisCampbell777]

Early Keith show.

[@Perromedico]

Dennis Campbell Yep , he joined in Oct.71 . Best piano player they had , till the dope got him bad ...

[@DennisCampbell777]

And everyone knew Pig was dying of liver failure from the booze by then, that's why they picked him up.

[@Perromedico]

Dennis Campbell Yea Pig was in bad shape by then . Drs told him , rest , do not to Europe ,and he went .

[@MrGOW3fan]

parson 6868 and his spirit has lived on for almost twice his life span

[@douglasnorris109]

Why did they only ever play this once?

[@joshuateubanks4302]

Jerry was sort of alone amongst the guys for playing spirituals, I've been led to believe.

[@Jeff4090]

Next listen to the Elvis version of this song.

[@davidhickenbottom6574]

I haven't heard Elvis do it but I have heard Stonewall Jackson do it you might like to give that a try I'm going to I'm going to look at the Elvis one

[@Jeff4090]

Right on...thanks for the lead🤘

[@mikeaubuchon8409]

This is a good version of the song but really like Stone wall Jackson's version .

[@martinpickr9582]

LA BAMBA

[@namijnebruhtra7683]

A little different than the way George Thuroughgood sings it

[@Danthecoinman68]

This...

[@weveri6]

Would have been nice if he had sung the actual lyrics, instead of just doing the chorus and noodling around on the guitar. Stoned again...

[@scottbaker1800]

Never cared for this band. This is good music . I might reconsider

[@nolandolaher2817]

do that you will not regret sir!

[@katmandew2152]

Blame it on the lucy.

[@petelamar4249]

My Virgin Show….

[@patrickb5197]

Great….. but Elvis does it the best.

[@sidsdad01]

In my humble opinion, Spencer Davis group did this better on their second album

[@fluffhead7105]

sidsdad01 leave

[@nectar810]

i hav'nt heard the sdg one... but i still like this one better

[@mwblake]

That's the version I first heard, way back when, when I was 15 years old. SDG's version is fantastic.

[@alan4sure]

Too slow....

[@isorokudono]

Should have let Phil sing it.............Jerry was always a joke.

[@lzrdkng79]

The dead, amazing as always and KZbin is great to explore things you've never heard from them

[@thomasmantellwilliam]

You did, you did say that again!