First thing I
remember knowing
was that lonesome

whistle blowing
And a young man`s dream
of growing up to ride
On a freight train

leaving town,
not knowing
where I`m bound
And 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
In spite of all
my Sunday learning
towards the bad

I kept on turning
Till mama couldn`t
hold me any more
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
teach me better
but her pleading I denied
That leaves only me to blame

`cause mama tried
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

teach me better
but her pleading I denied
That leaves only me to blame
`cause mama tried