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Mama Tried
Merle Haggard
Intro: 0 (4 measures)
0 5
The first thing I remember knowing,
0 5
Was a lonesome whistle blowing,
0
And a young un's dream of growing up to
7
ride
0 5
On a freight train leaving town,
0 5
Not knowing where I'm bound,
0 7
No one could change my mind but Mama
0
tried.
0 5
One and only rebel child,
0 5
From a family, meek and mild:
0
My Mama seemed to know what lay in
7
store.
0 5
Despite all my Sunday learning,
0 5
Towards the bad, I kept on turning.
0 7
'Til Mama couldn't hold me
0
anymore.
Chorus:
0
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing
5 0
life without parole.
9
No one could steer me right but Mama
7
tried, Mama tried, Mama
0
tried to raise me better, but her
7 0
pleading, I denied. That leaves
0 7
only me to blame 'cause Mama
0
tried.
0 5
Dear old Daddy, rest his soul,
0 5
Left my Mom a heavy load;
0
She tried so very hard to fill his
7
shoes.
0 5
Working hours without rest,
0 5
Wanted me to have the best.
0 7
She tried to raise me right but I
0
refused.
Chorus
This file is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
