The first I remember knowin'
Was that lonesome whistle blowin'
And a youngin's dream
Of growin' up to rideOn a freight train leavin' town
Not knowin' where I was bound
No one could steer me right
But mama triedWas the only rebel child
From a family meek and mild
Mama seemed to know
What lay in storeIn spite of all my
Sunday learnin'
For the bad I kept on turnin'
And mama couldn't hold me anymoreAnd I turned 21 in prison
Doin' life without parole
No one could steer me right
But mama tried, mama triedMama tried to raise me better
But her pleadin' I denied
That leaves no one but me to blame
'Cause mama triedDear old daddy rest his soul
Left my mom a heavy load
She tried so very hard
To fill his shoesWorkin' hours without rest
Wanted me to have the best
Oh, she tried to raise me right
But I refusedAnd I turned 21 in prison
Doin' life without parole
No one could steer me right
But mama tried, mama triedMama tried to raise me better
But her pleadin' I denied
That leaves no one but me to blame
'Cause mama triedAnd I turned 21 in prison
Doin' life without parole
No one could steer me right
But mama tried, mama triedMama 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