Mama Tried Songtext
von Merle Haggard and The Strangers

The first thing I remember knowin′
Was a lonesome whistle blowin'
And a young un′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

One and only rebel child
From a family, meek and mild
My Mama seemed to know what lay in store
Despite all my Sunday learnin'
Towards the bad, I kept on turnin′
'Til 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 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
Workin' hours without rest
Wanted me to have the best
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 pleading, I denied
That leaves only me to blame ′cause Mama tried