A D A D
The first thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin'
A E
And a youngun's dream of growin' up to ride
A D A D
On a freight train leavin' town, not knowin' where I'm bound
A E A
No one could change my mind but Mama tried
One and only rebel child from a fam'ly meek and mild
My mama seemed to know what lay in store
In spite all my Sunday learnin' towards the bad I kept on turnin'
'Til Mama could not hold me anymore
A D A
And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole
F#m E
No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried
A D
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied
A E A
And that leaves only me to blame cause Mama tried
Dear ole' Daddy,rest his soul, left my mom a heavy load
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
Workin' hours without rest, she wanted me to have the best
She tried to raise me right but I refused
Chorus
And that leaves only me to blamce cause mama tried