first thing i remember knowin was a lonesome whistle blowin and a young un s dream of growing up to ride on a freight train out of town not knowing where i m bound no one could steer me right but mama tried one and only rebel child from a family meek and mild my mama seemed to know what lay in store depite of all my sunday learnin toward the bad i kept on turnin til my mama couldn t hold me anymore chorus and i turned twenty one in prison doing 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 he left ma a heavy load she tried so very hard to fill his shoes working hours without rest wanted me to have the best she tried to steer me right but i refused chorus