Lyrics:

The first thing I remember knowin'
Was a lonesome whistle blowin'
And a young gun'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 of all my Sunday learnin'
Towards the bad I kept a-turning
'Til mama couldn't hold me anymore
And I turned 21 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 21 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