Mama Tried

Intro: D  D 


 
D                          G 
The first thing I remember knowin' 
      D                G 
Was a lonesome whistle blowin' 
      D                                A 
And a young'n's dream of growing up to ride 
     D                     G 
On a freight train leaving town 
    D                 G 
Not knowing where I'm bound 
       D                   A              D 
And no one could change my mind, but mama tried 
 

 
D                    G 
A one and only rebel child 
       D               G 
From a family meek and mild 
   D                               A 
My mama seemed to know what lay in store 
        D             G 
Despite all my Sunday learnin' 
            D             G 
Towards the bad I kept on turnin' 
     D             A          D 
'Til mama couldn't hold me anymore 
 

 
D                                        G              D 
And I turned twenty-one in prison, doing life without parole 
   Bm                                 A 
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 
                       A                  D 
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause mama tried  


Instrumental: 
D   G   A  D 

 
D                        G 
Dear old daddy, rest his soul 
        D           G 
Left my mom a heavy load 
    D                              A 
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes 
        D             G 
Working hours without rest 
       D              G 
Wanted me to have the best 
D                     A              D 
She tried to raise me right, but I refused 
 

 
D                                        G              D 
And I turned twenty-one in prison, doing life without parole 
   Bm                                 A 
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 
                       A                  D 
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause mama tried 
                       A                  D 
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause mama tried 
 

Outro: 
D  G  D     D  D  D