Mama Tried

Well, the first thing I remember knowin'

Was a lonesome whistle blowin'

And a youngin's dream of growin' up to ride

Well, on a freight train leavin' town

Not carin' where I'm bound

No one could change my mind, but Mama tried

Well, 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'

Toward the bad I kept on turnin'

'Til Mama, she couldn't hold me anymore

And I turned twenty-one in a prison

Doin' life without parole

No one could steer me right, but Mama tried

Mama tried

She tried to raise me better, but her pleadings I denied

I got only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried

Break it down, David

Well, dear old Daddy, rest his soul

Left my mom a heavy load

She tried so very hard to fill his shoes

Well, workin' hours without rest

Wantin' me to have the best

She tried to raise me right, and I refused

Well, I turned twenty-one in a prison

Doin' life without parole

And no one could steer me right, but Mama tried

Mama tried

She tried to raise me better, but her pleadings I denied

I got only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried

Yeah well, I got only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried