The First Thing I Remember Knowin' Was A Lonesome Whistle Blowin',
And A Youngun's Dream Of Growin' Up To Ride,
On A Freight Train Leavin' Town, Not Knowin' Where I'm Bound.
And No One Could Change My Mind But Mama Tried.
One And Only Rebel Child From A Fam'ly Meek And Mild
My Mama Seemed To To Know What Lay In Store,
'Spite All My Sunday Learnin' Towards The Bad I Kept On Turnin',
'Til Mama Couldn't Hold Me Anymore.

And I Turned Twenty-one In Prison Doin' 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
And That Leaves Only Me To Blame, Cause Mama Tried

Dear Ole' Daddy, Rest His Soul Left My Mom A Heavy Load,
She Tried So Very Hard To Feel His Shoes,
Workin' Hours Without Rest, Wanted Me To Have The Best
She Tried To Raise Me Right But I Refused.

And I Turned Twenty-one In Prison Doin' 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
And That Leaves Only Me To Blame, Cause Mama Tried