Free

The Woodman wants you to know that the "washing" referred to in this song (and in "Dirty Greens" on the new album, I would add), are metaphorical and not literal. I thought that would be obvious...
As I've mentioned elsewhere, I don't know why I use Civil War imagery with some frequency, but here it is. I like how this song is a combination of personal odyssey, redemption and true love song....and the music is wonderfully simple and honest. I love the accordion & mandolin combination. I've used it a lot since I tracked this.

Lyrics

If I want to get my washing done
Gotta go where the crystal-clear waters run
If I want to ease my mind
Gotta stop picking up everything I find
And you know where to find me
Cleaning up the company digs at night
And the boys remind me, singing"Johnny everything is alright"

If I want to get my washing done
Gotta find me a scrubbing rock big and rough
If I want to make it home alive
Gotta learn to ride steady and strap in tight
When I met my Sheri Lea
I knew she would be the only girl for me
You know I'd walk a thousand miles
When this tour of duty's over just to see her smile

And she breezes by me, with her red hair flying like the fires at night
In my dreams she reminds me, singing Johnny everything is alright
If I want to get my washing done
Gotta go where the crystal-clear waters run
If I want to get my washing done
Gotta go where the crystal-clear waters run
Gotta go where the crystal-clear waters run