Mama Tried

Mama Tried

D    A7    D

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The first thing I remember knowin'

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Was a lonesome whistle a-blowin'

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And the youngins dream of growin' up to ride

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On a freight train leavin' town,

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Not knowin' where I's bound

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No-one could steer me right, but Mama tried

When an only rebel child

From a family meek and mild

Mama seemed to know what lay in store

Despite all my Sunday learnin',

Toward the bad, I kept on turnin'

Til Mama couldn't hold me any more

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And I turned twenty-one in prison,

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Doin' life without parole

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No-one could steer me right, but Mama tried, Mama tried

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Mama tried to raise me better,

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But her pleading I denied

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And that leaves only 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,

She wanted me to have the best.

She tried to raise me right, but I refused.