Mama Tried

The first thing I remember knowing was a lonesome whistle blowing And a young gun's dream of growing up to ride On a freight train leaving town, not knowing where I'm bound No one could change my mind but Mama tried One and only rebel child from the family, meek and mild My mama seemed to know what lay in store Despite all my Sunday learning towards the bad, I kept on turning 'Til mama couldn't hold me anymore And I turned twenty-one 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 twenty-one 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