The first thing I remember knowing was a lonesome whistle blowingAnd a young gun's dream of growing up to rideOn a freight train leaving town, not knowing where I'm boundNo one could change my mind but Mama triedOne and only rebel child from the family, meek and mildMy mama seemed to know what lay in storeDespite all my Sunday learning towards the bad, I kept on turning'Til 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 leaves 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 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 tried, mama triedMama tried to raise me better but her pleading, I deniedThat leaves only me to blame 'cause mama tried
