The first thing I remember knowin was a lonesome whistle blowin And a younguns dream of growin up to ride On a freight train leavin town, not knowin where Im bound No one could change my mind but mama tried One and only rebel child from a family meek and mild My mama seemed to to know what lay in store Spite all my Sunday learnin towards the bad I kept on turnin Til mama couldnt hold me anymore I turned twentyone 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 ole daddy, rest his soul left my mom a heavy load She tried so very hard to feel his shoes Workin hours without rest, wanted me to have the best She tried to raise me right but I refused I turned twentyone 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 And that leaves only me to blame, cause mama tried That leaves only me to blame, cause mama tried
tried, mama, parole, pleading, raise