Mamma Tried - Merle Haggard

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 momma tried

One and only Rebel child from a fam’ly meek and mild

My momma seemed to to know what lay in store

'Spite all my Sunday learnin' towards the bad I kept on turnin'

'Til momma couldn’t hold me anymore

And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole

No one could steer me right but momma tried, momma tried

Momma tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied

And that leaves only me to blame, cause momma 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 momma tried, momma tried

Momma tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied

And that leaves only me to blame, cause momma tried