F

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

F A# C7And a youngun's dream of growin' up to ride,

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

F C7 FAnd no one could change my mind but Mama tried.

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

F A# C7My mama seemed to know what lay in store,

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

F C7 F'Til mama couldn't hold me anymore.

F A# FAnd I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole,

Dm C7No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried

F A# FMama tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied

F C7 FAnd that leaves only me to blame, cause Mama tried

F A#

F C7 F

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

F A# C7She tried so very hard to fill his shoes,

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

F C7 FShe tried to raise me right but I refused.

F A# FAnd I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole,

Dm C7No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried

F A# FMama tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied

F C7 FAnd that leaves only me to blame, cause Mama tried