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The first thing |
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I remember knowing was a lonesome whistle blowing |
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And a young gun's dream of growing up to ride |
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On a freight train leaving town, not knowing where |
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I'm boundNo one could change my mind but |
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Mama tried |
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One and only rebel child from the family, meek and mild |
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My mama seemed to know what lay in store |
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Despite all my |
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Sunday learning towards the bad, |
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I kept on turning' |
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Til mama couldn't hold me anymore |
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And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole |
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No one could steer me right but mama tried, mama tried |
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Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading, |
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I deniedThat leaves only me to blame 'cause mama tried |
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Dear old daddy, rest his soul, left my |
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Mom a heavy load |
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She tried so very hard to fill his shoes |
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Working hours without rest, wanted me to have the best |
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She tried to raise me right but |
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I refusedAnd |
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I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole |
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No one could steer me right but mama tried, mama tried |
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Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading, |
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I deniedThat leaves only me to blame 'cause mama tried |
