Chords
Mama Tried

Key: D

Introduction:  D   A   D  

                                           D                                         G                                   D                                                     G 
The first thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin',
                       D                                                                                                   A 
and a youngun's dream of growin' up to ride,
                         D                                                   G                               D                                                 G 
on a freight train leavin' town, not knowin' where I'm bound,
                   D                                                                 A                                             D 
no one could change my mind but Mama tried.
                                 D                                 G                             D                                                 G 
One and only Rebel child from a fam'ly meek and mild,
                   D                                                                                                           A 
my Mama seemed to know what lay in store,
                     D                                         G                                             D                                     G 
'spite all my Sunday learnin' with the bad I kept on turnin',
             D                                           A                                   D 
'til mama couldn't hold me anymore.
                                               D                                                                         G                                       D 
And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole,
             Bm                                                                                                         A                                     A7 
no one could steer me right   but Mama tried, Mama tried.
                           D                                                                                               G                               D 
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied,
                                                                               A                                                             D 
that leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried.
                           D                                             G                                 D                                     G 
Dear ole' daddy, rest his soul left my mom a heavy load,
                 D                                                                                   A 
she tried so very hard to fill his shoes,
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workin' hours without rest, wanted me to have the best,
                   D                                               A                                 D 
she tried to raise me right but I refused.
                                               D                                                                         G                                       D 
And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole,
             Bm                                                                                                     A                                 A7 
no one could steer me right   but Mama tried, Mama tried.
                           D                                                                                               G                               D 
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied,
                                                                               A                                                             D 
that leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried.
                                           D                               A                                                             D 
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried.