Mama Tried (Live Fillmore East, New York, NY, April 26, 1971)

First thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin'

And a youngin's dream of growin' up to ride

On a freight train leavin' town, not knowin' where I'm bound

And no one to 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

In spite of all my Sunday learnin', towards the bad, I kept on turnin'

Till 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 pleadin', 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 pleadin', I denied

That leaves only me to blame, 'cause mama tried

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 pleadin', I denied

That leaves only me to blame, 'cause mama tried

That leaves only me to blame, 'cause mama tried