Lyrics:

The First Thing I Remember Knowin'
was A Lonesome Whistle Blowin'
and A Young'un'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 All My Sunday Learnin'
towards The Bad, I Kept A-Turnin'
till 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