The first thing I remember knowin was a lonesome whistle blowin
And a youngins dream of growin up to ride
On a freight train leavin town, not knowin where I was bound
No one could steer me right, but mama tried
Was the only rebel child from a family meek and mild
My mama seemed to know what lay in store
In spite of all my Sunday learnin
For the bad I kept on turnin til mama couldnt 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 pleadin I denied
That leaves no one but 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
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 pleadin I denied
That leaves no one but me to blame cause mama tried
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 pleadin I denied
That leaves no one but me to blame cause mama tried
That leaves no one but me to blame cause mama tried