Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Mama Tried lyrics

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. And 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 to know what lay in store, 'spite all my sunday learnin' towards 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 And 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 And that leaves only me to blame, cause mama tried