The First Thing I Remember Knowing,
Was A Lonesome Whistle Blowing,
And A Young Un's Dream Of Growing Up To Ride;
On A Freight Train Leaving Town,
Not Knowing Where I'm Bound,
No-one Could Change My Mind But Mama Tried.
One And Only Rebel Child,
From A Family, Meek And Mild:
My 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.

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 Only Me To Blame 'cos Mama Tried.

Instrumental Break.

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.

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 Only Me To Blame 'cos Mama Tried.