Lyrics Mama Tried - Live at Barton Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 5/8/77 - Grateful Dead

The first I remember knowin′
Was that lonesome whistle blowin'
And a youngin′s dream
Of growin' up to ride
On a freight train leavin' town
Not knowin′ where I was bound
No one could steer me right
But mama tried
Was the only rebel child
From a family meek and mild
Mama seemed to know
What lay in store
In spite of all my
Sunday learnin′
For the bad I kept on turnin'
And mama couldn′t hold me anymore
And I turned 21 in prison
Doin' life without parole
No one could steer me right
But mama tried, mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better
But her pleadin′ I denied
That leaves no one but 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
Workin′ hours without rest
Wanted me to have the best
Oh, she tried to raise me right
But I refused
And I turned 21 in prison
Doin' life without parole
No one could steer me right
But mama tried, mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better
But her pleadin' I denied
That leaves no one but me to blame
′Cause mama tried
And I turned 21 in prison
Doin′ life without parole
No one could steer me right
But mama tried, mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better
But her pleadin' I denied
That leaves no one but me to blame
′Cause mama tried
That leaves no one but me to blame
'Cause mama tried