INTRO: E

#1.
E                          A
The first thing I remember knowin' was a 
E                A             E
lonesome whistle blowin' and a young'un's 
                       B
dream of growing up to ride.
     E                     A        E
On a freight train leavin' town not knowin' 
          A         E
where I'm bound and no one could change my 
B             E
mind but Mama tried.

#2.
E                  A            E
One and only rebel child from a family meek 
    A        E 
and mild, my Mama seemed to know what lay 
   B
in store.
            E             A
In spite of all my Sunday learnin', towards 
    E            A            E
the bad I kept a-turnin', til Mama couldn't 
B          E
hold me anymore.

CHORUS:
E                                       A
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life 
        E
without parole.
   Dbm                               B
No one could steer me right but Mama tried, 

Mama tried.
     E                                A
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading 
  E
I denied.
                       B                  E
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried.

#3.
E                        A             E
Dear old Daddy, rest his soul, left my Mom a 
      A
heavy load.
    E                              B
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes.
        E             A            E
Working hours without rest, wanted me to have 
    A
the best.
    E                 B            E
She tried to raise me right, but I refused.


CHORUS:
E                                       A
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life 
        E
without parole.
   Dbm                               B
No one could steer me right but Mama tried, 

Mama tried.
     E                                A
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading 
  E
I denied.
                       B                  E
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried.