Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading, I denied
On a freight train leaving town, not knowing where I'm bound
My mama seemed to know what lay in store
Dear old daddy, rest his soul, left my Mom a heavy load
Working hours without rest, wanted me to have the best
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole
Publisher: SONY/ATV SONGS D/B/A TREE PUBG CO
One and only rebel child from the family, meek and mild
The first thing I remember knowing was a lonesome whistle blowing
No one could steer me right but mama tried, mama tried
No one could steer me right but mama tried, mama tried
'Til mama couldn't hold me anymore
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading, I denied
She tried to raise me right but I refused
That leaves only me to blame 'cause mama tried
That leaves only me to blame 'cause mama tried
Despite all my Sunday learning towards the bad, I kept on turning
Songwriter: Merle Haggard
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole
No one could change my mind but Mama tried
And a young gun's dream of growing up to ride