A#

A# D# A# D#The first thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin',

A# D# F7And a youngun's dream of growin' up to ride,

A# D# A# D#On a freight train leavin' town, not knowin' where I'm bound.

A# F7 A#And no one could change my mind but Mama tried.

A# D# A# D#One and only rebel child from a fam'ly meek and mild

A# D# F7My mama seemed to know what lay in store,

A# D# A# D#'Spite all my Sunday learnin' towards the bad I kept on turnin',

A# F7 A#'Til mama couldn't hold me anymore.

A# D# A#And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole,

Gm F7No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried

A# D# A#Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied

A# F7 A#And that leaves only me to blame, cause Mama tried

A# D#

A# F7 A#

A# D# A# D#Dear ole' daddy, rest his soul, left my mom a heavy load,

A# D# F7She tried so very hard to fill his shoes,

A# D# A# D#Workin' hours without rest, wanted me to have the best

A# F7 A#She tried to raise me right but I refused.

A# D# A#And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole,

Gm F7No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried

A# D# A#Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied

A# F7 A#And that leaves only me to blame, cause Mama tried