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
