Mama Tried Songtext
von Grateful Dead

The first 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 was bound
No one could steer me right
But mama tried

Was the only rebel child
From a family meek and mild
Mama seemed to know
What lay in store

In spite of all my
Sunday learnin′
For the bad I kept on turnin'
And mama couldn′t hold me anymore


And I turned 21 in prison
Doin' life without parole
No one could steer me right
But mama tried, mama tried

Mama tried to raise me better
But her pleadin′ I denied
That leaves no one but 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

Workin′ hours without rest
Wanted me to have the best
Oh, she tried to raise me right
But I refused

And I turned 21 in prison
Doin' life without parole
No one could steer me right
But mama tried, mama tried


Mama tried to raise me better
But her pleadin' I denied
That leaves no one but me to blame
′Cause mama tried

And I turned 21 in prison
Doin′ life without parole
No one could steer me right
But mama tried, mama tried

Mama tried to raise me better
But her pleadin' I denied
That leaves no one but me to blame
′Cause mama tried
That leaves no one but me to blame
'Cause mama tried