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 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 know what lay in store In spite all my Sunday learnin' towards the bad I kept on turnin' 'Til Mama could not 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 fill his shoes Workin' hours without rest, she wanted me to have the best She tried to raise me right but I refused Chorus And that leaves only me to blamce cause mama tried