Lyrics:

The First Thing I Remember Knowing,
was A Lonesome Whistle Blowing,
and A Young Un's Dream Of Growing Up To Ride;
on A Freight Train Leaving Town,
not Knowing Where I'm Bound,
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.
despite All My Sunday Learning,
towards The Bad, I Kept On Turning.
'til 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 'cos Mama Tried.

instrumental Break.

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 'cos Mama Tried.