Old 97's have been heralded as a great live band. They included five live songs as a bonus disc on Satellite Rides, and released a live double CD set recorded at historic Gruene Hall in 2005, Alive and Wired. Singer/guitarist Rhett Miller has released three solo albums and singer/bassist Murry Hammond released his first solo effort in April 2008. Ken Bethea plays lead guitar for the band and playing the drums/singing is Philip Peeples.
For photographs and additional information see the official website, www.Old97s.com.
Mama Tried
Old 97's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
First thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin'
And a young-on'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
Mama seemed to know what lay in store
'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore
[Chorus]
And 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, he left my mom a heavy load
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
Working hours without rest, she wanted me to have the best
She tried to raise me right, but I refused
[Chorus]
The Old 97's song "Mama Tried," written by Merle Haggard, explores the struggle between a young rebel and his well-meaning mother. The song begins with a vivid image of a lonesome whistle blowing, evoking the sense of adventure and excitement that often accompanies youthful rebellion. The singer dreams of riding a freight train out of town, free from the constraints of his family and society. He is determined to follow his own path and nothing can change his mind, except perhaps his mother.
Despite her best efforts, Mama cannot seem to steer her child onto the right path. The singer is the only rebel child from a family that is otherwise "meek and mild," which undoubtedly puts more pressure on his mother to try and tame his wild ways. She tries to instill the values she learned at Sunday school, but the singer keeps turning towards the "bad" until Mama can no longer hold him back.
The chorus brings the story full circle, as we hear that the singer ends up in prison at age twenty-one, doing life without parole. Although no one could steer him right, the singer acknowledges that Mama tried, and that he is the only one to blame for denying her pleading. The final verse adds another layer of complexity to the story, as the singer reflects on his father leaving his mother with a heavy load. Mama works tirelessly to provide for her child and give him the best opportunity possible, but the singer still refuses to listen.
Line by Line Meaning
First thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin'
The very first memory I possess was of a mournful train whistle blowing in the distance.
And a young-on's dream of growing up to ride
As a kid, I wanted nothing more than to ride a freight train as part of my coming-of-age experience.
On a freight train leaving town, not knowing where I'm bound
I hopped on a train leaving my hometown, with no specific destination in mind.
And no one could change my mind, but Mama tried
No one could convince me to choose a different path in life, despite my mother's best efforts.
One and only rebel child, from a family meek and mild
I was the only rebellious child in a family that was otherwise well-behaved and docile.
Mama seemed to know what lay in store
My mother had a premonition of the difficult road that lay ahead of me.
'Spite of all my Sunday learnin', toward the bad I kept on turnin'
Despite being taught good values by my family and religious education, I continued to make bad choices.
'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore
My mother was no longer able to exert any influence on me.
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole
At the age of twenty-one, I found myself serving a life sentence in prison with no chance for release.
No one could steer me right, but Mama tried, Mama tried
Despite nobody else being able to prevent me from making bad decisions, my mother made every effort to show me a better way.
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied
My mother worked hard to teach me right from wrong, but I refused to listen to her advice.
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried
The fault for my poor life choices lies solely with me, because I ignored my mother's efforts to guide me.
Dear old Daddy rest his soul, he left my mom a heavy load
My deceased father left my mother with a great responsibility.
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
My mother made every effort to take on the role of both parents after my father's death.
Working hours without rest, she wanted me to have the best
My mother sacrificed her own comfort and well-being to provide for me and give me a good life.
She tried to raise me right, but I refused
Despite my mother's best efforts, I stubbornly refused to be guided in a positive direction.
[Chorus]
This is the chorus, which repeats the main theme of the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MERLE HAGGARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind