Merle Haggard, Bluebook Music (BMI)
First Thing I Remember Knowin' Was A Lonesome Whistle Blowin'
And A Young-on's Dream Of Growing Up To Ride
On A Freight Train Leaving Town, Not Knowing 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
Mama Seemed To Know What Lay In Store
'Spite Of All My Sunday Learnin', Toward The Bad I Kept On Turnin'
'Til Mama Couldn't Hold Me Anymore

CHORUS:
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, He Left My Mom A Heavy Load
She Tried So Very Hard To Fill His Shoes
Working Hours Without Rest, She Wanted Me To Have The Best
She Tried To Raise Me Right, But I Refused

CHORUS