The first thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin' and a youngin's dream of growin' up to ridin' On a freight train leavin' town, not knowin' where I'm bound, and no one could change my mind but Mama tried The one and only rebel child from a family meek and mild, my Mama seemed to know what lay in store In spite of all my Sunday learnin', towards the bat I kept on turnin' till Mama couldn't hold me anymore I turned twenty-one in prison doin' 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 Mama heavy low, she tried so very hard to fill his shoes Workin' 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 doin' 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 *