Capo 3 
 
                A          D             A                D 
The first thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin' 
      A                                E 
And a youngun's dream of growin' up to ride 
     A                     D         A                 D  
On a freight train leavin' town, not knowin' where I'm bound 
   A                   E             A     
No one could change my mind but Mama tried 
 
 
One and only rebel child from a fam'ly meek and mild  
My mama seemed to know what lay in store 
In spite all my Sunday learnin' towards the bad I kept on turnin' 
'Til Mama could not hold me anymore 

             A                          D              A 
And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole 
   F#m                               E 
No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried 
     A                                 D 
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied  
                A          E                A 
And that leaves only me to blame cause Mama tried   
 
 
Dear ole' 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 
 
 
Chorus 
 
And that leaves only me to blamce cause mama tried