First thing I remember knowin'
Was  a lonesome whistle blowin'
And  a young man's dream of growin' up to ride
On a freight train leavin' town
Never knowin' where I'm bound
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
'Spite of all my Sunday learnin'
To the bad, I kept a turnin'
'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore

I  turned twenty-one 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 pleadings 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
I turned twenty-one 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 pleadings I denied
That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried