Mama Tried

Album: Mama Tried (1968)
Play Video
  • The first thing I remember knowin'
    Was a lonesome whistle blowin'
    And a young un's dream of growin' 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
    Despite all my Sunday learnin'
    Towards the bad, I kept on turnin'
    'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore

    And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' 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
    Workin' 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 doin' 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 Writer/s: Merle Haggard
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

  • Thomas from Somerville, AlMerle Haggard never killed anybody. The fact is, he was drunk and trying to break into a bar at the back door. The bar owner opened the back door and caught him, the bar was open, not closed and called the cops. He DID turn 21 in the county jail for B&E. That is the facts as the facts are. I suggest you commentators watch a few more documentaries and listen to a little less B.S.
  • Henry O. Godwinn from Wheeling, WvActually John it's Honky Tonk bedonkadonk but about the song yeah it's a classic and might be a little inaccuret in that Hag didn't serve life because he was pardoned.
  • John from Mansfield, TxDamn,But I Love ol'Merle!!
    Too bad That all Nashvegas Wants Is Pretty Boys
    who sing"Chicken fried Hallmark cards"!!!
    God,I Wish Hank williams would come down from"Hillbilly Heaven"and"Kabong"Tim McGraw;Toby Keith and Trace Adkins*(*To Name A Few)With his Guitar!!
    "Honky Tonk,A Donk A Donk!!"??As Kristen Wig's SNL Character"Aunt Linda"sez:"PUHLEASE!!".
  • Chet from Buffalo, NyMerle was granted a full pardon by then-Governor Ronald Reagan in 1972. This was one of his biggest successes, topping the Billboard Country chart for 4 weeks.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Wolfgang Van Halen

Wolfgang Van HalenSongwriter Interviews

Wolfgang Van Halen breaks down the songs on his debut album, Mammoth WVH, and names the definitive Van Halen songs from the Sammy and Dave eras.

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.