D          G             D                G
First thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin'
      D                   G             A7
And a young-on's dream of growing up to ride
      D                     G         D                 G
On a freight train leaving town, not knowing where I'm bound
       D                   A7             D
And no one could change my mind, but Mama tried



          D          G             D                G
One and only rebel child, from a family meek and mild
        D                   G             A7
Mama seemed to know what lay in store
         D                     G         D                 G
'Spite of all my Sunday learnin', toward the bad I kept on turnin'
     D                   A7             D
'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore



CHORUS:
D                                       G              D
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole
   G                  D                           A7
No one could steer me right, but Mama tried, Mama tried
     D                                 G             D
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied,
                       A7                 D
that leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried



            D          G             D                G
Dear old Daddy rest his soul, he left my mom a heavy load
        D                   G             A7
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
        D                     G         D                 G
Working hours without rest, she wanted me to have the best
   D                   A7             D
She tried to raise me right, but I refused

CHORUS