the first thing i remember knowing was a lonesome whistle blowing and a young un s dream of growing up to ride on a freight train leaving town not knowing 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 learning towards the bad i kept on turning til mama couldn t hold me anymore 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 left my mom 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 raise me right but i refused 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 tried2