Mama Tried

How about a little bit of "Mama Tried"?

- We'll do it. - Okay.

The first thing I remember knowin'

Was that lonesome whistle blowin'

And a youngin'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 makin' mild

My mama seemed to know a lying store

Despite all my Sunday learning toward the bat

I kept on turning 'til mama couldn't hold me anymore

I turned 21 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 mama 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

I turned 21 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.