Mama Tried
Merle Haggard

Intro:  D  A  D  D (damp)

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

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

D                                       C              D
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole
   Bm                                 A
No one could steer me right, but Mama tried, Mama tried
     D                                 C             D
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied
                       A                  D
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried

         D               G             D            G
Dear old Daddy, rest his soul, left my mom a heavy load
    D             G                A
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
        D             G            D              G
Working hours without rest, wanted me to have the best
    D                 A               D
She tried to raise me right, but I refused


Refrain

(Break, refrain)

                       A                  D
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried
                       A                  D
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried