As Performed By: Jason Boland 
Song: Mama Tried
Written By: Merle Haggard



Intro: 

E----5-5-3-3-2-2
B----3-3-3-3-3-3
G---------------
D--0------------
A---------------
E---------------    3 times


Verse 1:

                D           G
The first thing I remember knowing
         D                G
Was that lonesome whistle blowing
      D                                   A7
And a young ens'  dreams of growing up to ride
     D                     G
On a freight train leaving town
    D                 G
Not knowing where I'm bound
        D                   A7            D
And no one could change my mind but Mama tried


Verse 2:

        D          G
One and only rebel child
       D               G
From a family meek and mild
   D                                A7
My mama seemed to know what lay in store
       D             G
Depite all my Sunday learning
            D             G
Towards the bad I kept on turning
     D              A7        D
Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore


Chorus:

             D                           G              D
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole
   Bm                                 A 
No one could steer me right but Mama tried Mama tried
      D                                G            D
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied
             D         A7                 D
That leaves only me to blame cause Mama tried

            
Verse 3:


         D              G
Dear old Daddy rest his soul
        D           G
Left my mom a heavy load
    D                              A7
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
        D             G
Working hours without rest
       D              G
Wanted me to have the best
    D                 A7             D
She tried to raise me right but I refused


Chorus:

             D                           G              D
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole
   Bm                                 A 
No one could steer me right but Mama tried Mama tried
      D                                G            D
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied
            D          A7                 D
That leaves only me to blame cause Mama tried


Chorus:

             (MUTE ALL STRINGS,      
             KEEPING BEAT)              G              D
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole
   Bm                                 A 
No one could steer me right but Mama tried Mama tried
      D                                G            D
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied
            D          A7                 D
That leaves only me to blame cause Mama tried
            D          A7                 D
That leaves only me to blame cause Mama tried