Mama Tried
Merle Haggard, 1968
verse
D
G
D
G
1
4
1
4
D
G
A
A
1
4
5
5
D
G
D
G
1
4
1
4
D
A
D
D
1
5
1
1
chorus
D
D
G
D
1
1
4
1
Bm
Bm
A
A
6
6
5
5
D
D
G
D
1
1
4
1
D
A
D
D
1
5
1
1
The first thing I remember knowing,
Was a lonesome whistle blowing,
And a youngun's dream of growing up to ride.
On a freight train leaving town,
Not knowing where I's bound,
No one could steer me right but Mama tried.
One and only rebel child,
From a family meek and mild,
Mama seemed to know what lay in store.
Despite all my Sunday learning,
Towards the bad I kept on turning,
'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore.
chorus
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing 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 no one but me to blame cause Mama tried.
Dear old Daddy rest his soul,
Left my mom a heavy load.
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes.
Working hours without rest,
Wanted me to have the best,
She tried to raise me right but I refused.