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
A 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 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