First thing I remember knowin'

Was a lonesome whistle blowin'

And a youngun's dream of growin' up to ride

On a freight train leavin' town

Not knowin' where i's bound

No one could change my mind but mama tried

One and only rebel child

In 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'

Mama couldn't hold me anymore

And 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 pleadin' 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 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 pleadin' i denied

That leaves only me to blame 'cause mama tried

And 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 pleadin' i denied

That leaves only me to blame 'cause mama tried

That leaves only me to blame 'cause mama tried