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 fam'ly 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.


That leaves only me to blame 'cause mama tried.