The first thing I remember knowing was a lonesome whistle blowing   And a young gun's dream of growing up to ride   On a freight train leaving town, not knowing where I'm bound   No one could change my mind but Mama tried      One and only rebel child from the family, meek and mild   My mama seemed to know what lay in store   Despite all my Sunday learning towards the bad, I kept on turning   'Til 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