Mama Tried - Live at Community War Memorial, Rochester, NY, November 5, 1977

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