Mama Tried

The first thing I remember knowin' Was a lonesome whistle blowin' And a young un's dream of growin' up to ride On a freight train leavin' town Not knowin' where I'm bound And no one could change my mind but Mama tried One and only rebel child From a family, meek and mild My Mama seemed to know what lay in store Despite all my Sunday learnin' Towards the bad, I kept on turnin' 'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I denied That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried Dear old Daddy, rest his soul Left my Mom a heavy load She tried so very hard to fill his shoes Workin' hours without rest Wanted me to have the best She tried to raise me right but I refused And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I denied That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried