C#

C# F# C# F#The first thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin',

C# F# G#7And a youngun's dream of growin' up to ride,

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

C# G#7 C#And no one could change my mind but Mama tried.

C# F# C# F#One and only rebel child from a fam'ly meek and mild

C# F# G#7My mama seemed to know what lay in store,

C# F# C# F#'Spite all my Sunday learnin' towards the bad I kept on turnin',

C# G#7 C#'Til mama couldn't hold me anymore.

C# F# C#And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole,

A#m G#7No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried

C# F# C#Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied

C# G#7 C#And that leaves only me to blame, cause Mama tried

C# F#

C# G#7 C#

C# F# C# F#Dear ole' daddy, rest his soul, left my mom a heavy load,

C# F# G#7She tried so very hard to fill his shoes,

C# F# C# F#Workin' hours without rest, wanted me to have the best

C# G#7 C#She tried to raise me right but I refused.

C# F# C#And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole,

A#m G#7No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried

C# F# C#Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied

C# G#7 C#And that leaves only me to blame, cause Mama tried