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