Mama Tried

Written by Merle Haggard

Key of D · Chords: I IV V

Verse 1

First thing I remember knowing was a lonesome whistle blowing
    D                  G             A
And a young ones dream of growing up to ride
On a freight train leaving town not knowing where I’m bound
   D   G           D            A
No one could steer me right but mama tried.

Verse 2

One and only rebel child from a family meek and mild
   D           G                A
My mama seemed to know what lay in store
In spite of all my Sunday learning towards the bad I kept on turning
     D    A                D
‘Til mama couldn’t hold me anymore.

Chorus

    D                                   G
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole
   D   G              D              A
No one could steer me right but mama tried mama tried
              D
Mama tried to raise me better    but her pleading I denied
                    A
That leaves only me to blame cause mama tried.

Verse 3

My dear old daddy rest his soul left my mom a heavy load
    D        G                 A
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
Working hours without rest wanted me to have the best
    D              A              D
She tried to raise me right but I refused.