Mama Tried(Chords)

	        
            D          G             D                G  
First thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin'  
      D                   G             A7  
And a young-on's dream of growing up to ride  
     D                     G         D                 G  
On a freight train leaving town, not knowing where I'm bound  
       D                   A7             D  
And no one could change my mind, but Mama tried  

One and only rebel child, from a family meek and mild  
Mama seemed to know what lay in store  
'Spite of all my Sunday learnin', toward the bad I kept on turnin'  
'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore  

D                                       G              D  
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole  
   Bm                  D              A  
No one could steer me right, but Mama tried, Mama tried  
     D                                 G             D  
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied,  
                       A7                 D  
that leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried
 
  
Dear old Daddy rest his soul, he left my mom a heavy load  
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes  
Working hours without rest, she wanted me to have the best  
She tried to raise me right, but I refused  

CHORUS  

	        

Written by Merle Haggard