The 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'm bound,
no one could change my mind but Mama tried.
One and only Rebel child from a fam'ly meek and mild,
my Mama seemed to know what lay in store,
'spite all my Sunday learnin' with the bad I kept on turnin',
'til 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 pleading I denied,
that leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried.
Dear ole' 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 pleading I denied,
that leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried.
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried.