Intro: D A D
D G
The first thing I remember knowin
D G
Was that lonesome whistle blowin'
D
And a youngin's dream
A
Of growin' up to ride
D G
On a freight train leavin' town
D G
Not knowin' where I was bound
D A
No one could change my mind
D
But mama tried
D G
Was the only rebel child
D G
From a family meek and mild
D
Mama seemed to know
A
What lay in store
D
In spite of all my
G
Sunday learnin'
D G
For the bad I kept on turnin'
D A D
And mama couldn't hold me anymore
D
And I turned 21 in prison
G D
Doin' life without parole
Bm
No one could steer me right
A A7
But mama tried, mama tried, mama tried
D
Mama tried to raise me better
G D
But her pleadin' I denied
A
That leaves only me to blame
D
'Cause mama tried
D A D
D G
Dear old daddy rest his soul
D G
Left my mom a heavy load
D
She tried so very hard
A
To fill his shoes
D G
Workin' hours without rest
D G
Wanted me to have the best
D A
Oh, she tried to raise me right
D
But I refused
D
And I turned 21 in prison
G D
Doin' life without parole
Bm
No one could steer me right
A A7
But mama tried, mama tried, mama tried
D
Mama tried to raise me better
G D
But her pleadin' I denied
A
That leaves only me to blame
D
'Cause mama tried
break
D
And I turned 21 in prison
G D
Doin' life without parole
Bm
No one could steer me right
A A7
But mama tried, mama tried, mama tried
D
Mama tried to raise me better
G D
But her pleadin' I denied
A
That leaves only me to blame
D
'Cause mama tried
A
That leaves only me to blame
D
'Cause mama tried