Mama Tried Lyrics - Grateful Dead (live) - Grateful Dead

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