Jack Ingram - Mama Tried

      
 
 Mama Tried
 By Jack Ingram
 Written By Merle Haggard
 rmofle at satx.rr.com
 12/27/2004
 
 Capo 3
 
                 A          D             A                D      
 The first thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin'
       A                                E   
 And a youngun's dream of growin' up to ride
      A                     D         A                 D    
 On a freight train leavin' town, not knowin' where I'm bound
    A                   E             A    
 No one could change my mind but Mama tried
 
 One and only rebel child from a fam'ly meek and mild
 My mama seemed to know what lay in store
 In spite all my Sunday learnin' towards the bad I kept on turnin'
 'Til Mama could not hold me anymore
 
 Chorus:
              A                          D              A   
 And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole
    F#m                               E                
 No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried
      A                                 D                
 Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied
                 A          E                A    
 And that leaves only me to blame cause Mama tried
 
 Dear ole' Daddy, rest his soul, left my mom a heavy load
 She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
 Workin' hours without rest, she wanted me to have the best
 She tried to raise me right but I refused
 
 Chorus
 
 And that leaves only me to blamce cause mama tried