Mama Tried
Merle Haggard The Strangers Lyrics


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The first thing I remember knowing,
Was a lonesome whistle blowing,
And a young un's dream of growing up to ride,
On a freight train leaving town,
Not knowing where I'm bound,
And 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
Despite my Sunday learning,
Towards the bad, I kept turning
'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 pleading, 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
Working hours without rest,
Wanted me to have the best
She tried to raise me right but I refused

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 pleading, I denied
That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Merle Haggard/Toby Keith/Willie Nelson's song Mama Tried tell the story of a rebellious youth who is determined to leave his hometown and ride on a freight train, not knowing where he's headed. The young man's mother tried to guide him and raise him right, but despite her best efforts, he continued to turn towards the wrong path in life. He eventually ends up in prison, reflecting on his choices and the fact that his mother had tried to steer him in the right direction. The lyrics are a poignant reminder of the powerful bond between a mother and child, and the influence that mothers can have on their children's lives.


Line by Line Meaning

The first thing I remember knowing,
I recall the sound of a train whistle from my earliest memory


Was a lonesome whistle blowing,
The train whistle I remember hearing was a sad and lonely sound


And a young un's dream of growing up to ride,
As a child, I dreamed of leaving town by hopping on a freight train


On a freight train leaving town,
That train would be leaving my hometown behind


Not knowing where I'm bound,
I had no idea where I would end up


And no one could change my mind but Mama tried
Despite my determination, my mother did try to convince me otherwise


One and only rebel child,
I was the sole troublemaker in an otherwise well-behaved family


From a family, meek and mild,
My family was known for being gentle and submissive


My Mama seemed to know what lay in store
My mother had a sense of what my future held


Despite my Sunday learning,
Even though my religious teachings told me otherwise


Towards the bad, I kept turning
I was drawn to a life of mischief and wrongdoing


'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore
Until my mother could no longer control my actions


I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole.
I ended up in prison at a young age and was not able to leave


No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried
Despite my defiance, my mother attempted to guide me towards a better path


Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I denied
My mother wanted to instill good values in me, but I refused to listen


That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried
In the end, I am the one responsible for my actions and not listening to my mother


Dear old Daddy, rest his soul,
My late father, may he rest in peace,


Left my Mom a heavy load,
Left my mother with a lot of responsibility


She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
My mother did her best to take on the role of both parents


Working hours without rest,
She worked tirelessly with no breaks


Wanted me to have the best
She wanted me to have a good life and opportunities


She tried to raise me right but I refused
Despite her best efforts, I chose not to follow her guidance




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MERLE HAGGARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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