The first thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin',
And a youngun's dream of growin' up to ride,
On a freight train leavin' town, not knowin' where I'm bound.
And no one could change my mind but mama tried.
One and only rebel child from a fam'ly meek and mild
My mama seemed to to know what lay in store,
'spite all my sunday learnin' towards the bad I kept on turnin',
'til mama couldn't hold me anymore.
And 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 pleading I denied
And that leaves only me to blame, cause mama tried
Dear ole' daddy, rest his soul left my mom a heavy load,
She tried so very hard to feel his shoes,
Workin' hours without rest, wanted me to have the best
She tried to raise me right but I refused.
And 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 pleading I denied
And that leaves only me to blame, cause mama tried
- :
- Miscellaneous
- Bang Bang Bang
- Toe The Line 4
- Ricochet
- Jealousy
- Pure Dirt
- Dead & Alive
- Live Two Five: In Concert
- Folk, Live From Mountain Stage
- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Certified Hits
- Entertainment Weekly Presents New Country
- More Great Dirt: The Best of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band,...
- All That Country
- Swingin’ Country Favorites
- Top 500 Country Music Songs
- Dirt, Silver & Gold
- The Best of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy
- The Many Sides of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (disc x: Folk)
- Uncle Charlie and His Dog Teddy