Jeffrey Shurtleff is best known for touring and singing with Joan Baez on W… Read Full Bio ↴Jeffrey Shurtleff is best known for touring and singing with Joan Baez on Woodstock. The man made one flawless LP in 1971/72, "State Farm", sadly not to be followed up.
Shurtleff now is active for Amnesty.

Mama Tried
Jeffrey Shurtleff Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

First thing I remember knowin'
Was a lonesome whistle blowin'
And a young man's dream
Of growin' up to ride
On a freight train leavin' town
Never knowin' where I'm bound
No one could change my mind but Mama tried

One and only rebel child
From a family, meek and mild
My Mama seemed to know what lay in store
'Spite of all my Sunday learnin'
To the bad, I kept a turnin'
'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore
I turned twenty-one in prison
Doing life without parole
No one could steer me right
But Mama tried, Mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better
But her pleadings I denied
That leaves only 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
She tried to raise me right but I refused

I turned twenty-one 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 pleadings I denied
That leaves only me to
Blame 'cause Mama tried

Overall Meaning

Jeffrey Shurtleff's song "Mama Tried" is a poignant reflection on a young man's struggle with rebellion and his regret for not heeding his mother's advice. The lyrics paint a picture of a restless spirit, symbolized by the lonesome whistle blowing and the dream of escaping on a freight train. The singer acknowledges that even though no one could change his mind, his mother, represented as Mama, tried her best to guide him.

The song highlights the singer's status as the only rebel child in a family that is described as meek and mild. Despite the lessons and values imparted to him through Sunday learning, he continually turns towards the path of wrongdoing. The line "To the bad, I kept a turnin'" displays his inclination towards making decisions that strayed from what his mother had hoped for him. Eventually, his rebellious choices bring him to prison at the age of twenty-one, where he faces a life sentence without parole.

Through these powerful lyrics, Shurtleff conveys the weight of the singer's regret. He acknowledges that his mother, who has since passed away, tried her best to raise him better. However, he ignored her pleadings and chose his own path. As the song concludes, the singer accepts the blame for his actions, as he sings, "That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried."

Overall, "Mama Tried" explores the theme of a young man's struggle with rebellion and the remorse he feels for not heeding his mother's guidance. It serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to the wisdom of those who care for us.

Line by Line Meaning

First thing I remember knowin'
The earliest memory I have is

Was a lonesome whistle blowin'
Hearing a lonely train whistle

And a young man's dream
And having a dream as a young man

Of growin' up to ride
To grow up and ride

On a freight train leavin' town
On a train leaving town

Never knowin' where I'm bound
Without knowing where I'm going

No one could change my mind but Mama tried
But my mother tried her best to change my mind

One and only rebel child
The only rebellious child

From a family, meek and mild
From a timid and gentle family

My Mama seemed to know what lay in store
My mother seemed to understand what will happen

'Spite of all my Sunday learnin'
Despite all the lessons I learned on Sundays