Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading, I denied
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading, I denied
On a freight train leaving town, not knowing where I'm bound
That leaves only me to blame 'cause mama tried
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole
Despite all my Sunday learning towards the bad, I kept on turning
She tried to raise me right but I refused
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
No one could change my mind but Mama tried
No one could steer me right but mama tried, mama tried
No one could steer me right but mama tried, mama tried
Working hours without rest, wanted me to have the best
My mama seemed to know what lay in store
'Til mama couldn't hold me anymore
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole
One and only rebel child from the family, meek and mild
Dear old daddy, rest his soul, left my Mom a heavy load
