The 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 feel 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