Lyrics of Mama tried

The first thing i remember knowin'
Was a lonesome whistle blowin'
And a young'un's dream of growing up to ride
On a freight train leavin' town
Not knowin' where i'm bound
And no one could change my mind but mama tried

One and only rebel child
From a family meek and mild
My mama seemed to know what lay in store
In spite all my sunday learnin'
Towards the bad, i kept a-turnin'
Till mama couldn't hold me anymore

And i turned twenty-one in prison
Doing life without parole
No one could steer me right but mama tried, mama tried

Mama tried to raise me better
But her pleading i denied
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
Working hours without rest
Wanted me to have the best
She tried to raise me right, but i refused

And i turned twenty-one in prison
Doing life without parole
No one could steer me right but mama tried, mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better
But her pleading, i denied
That leaves only me to blame 'cause mama tried