Mama Tried

The first thing I remember knowin' Was a lonesome whistle blowin' And a young gun's dream of growing 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 In spite of all my Sunday learnin' Towards the bad I kept a-turning 'Til mama couldn't hold me anymore And I turned 21 in prison, doing 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 Working hours without rest Wanted me to have the best She tried to raise me right, but I refused And I turned 21 in prison, doing 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