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

Songs Discussed in Movies

Songs Discussed in MoviesSong Writing

Bridesmaids, Reservoir Dogs, Willy Wonka - just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions Answered

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions AnsweredSong Writing

10 Questions for the author of Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.