First Thing I RememberI was an only rebel child from a family meek and mildMy mama seemed to know what lay in storeDespite all my Sunday learning, with the bad I kept on turningTill mama couldn't hold me anymoreAnd I turned twenty-one in prison, doing life without paroleNo one could steer me right, but mama tried, mama triedMama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I deniedThat lays only me to blame, cause mama triedDear old daddy, rest his soul, left my mom a heavy loadShe tried so very hard to fill his shoesWorking hard to get by, but mama triedTen hours without rest, wanted me to have the bestShe tried to raise me right, but I refusedAnd I turned twenty-one in prison, doing life without paroleNo one could steer me right, but mama triedMama tried, mama tried to raise me betterBut her pleading I deniedThat lays only me to blame, cause mama triedAnd I turned twenty-one in prison, doing life without parole