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Mama Tried

Merle Haggard

 

Intro:  0 (4 measures)

 

                     0                       5

The first thing I remember knowing,

           0                         5

Was a lonesome whistle blowing,

           0                                                

And a young un's dream of growing up to

  7

ride

 

             0                        5

On a freight train leaving town,

         0                          5

Not knowing where I'm bound,

     0                                7

No one could change my mind but Mama

 0

tried.

 

             0                 5

One and only rebel child,

                     0                       5

From a family, meek and mild:

       0                                                

My Mama seemed to know what lay in

   7

store.

 

                     0                       5

Despite all my Sunday learning,

                     0                       5

Towards the bad, I kept on turning.

        0                   7

'Til Mama couldn't hold me

        0

anymore.

 

Chorus:

                      0

And I turned twenty-one in prison doing

5                   0

life without parole.

      9

No one could steer me right but Mama

7

tried, Mama tried, Mama

  0

tried to raise me better, but her

  7                 0

pleading, I denied.  That leaves

0                7

only me to blame 'cause Mama

 0

tried.

 

                0                     5

Dear old Daddy, rest his soul,

               0                    5

Left my Mom a heavy load;

         0                                

She tried so very hard to fill his

   7

shoes.

 

                0                     5

Working hours without rest,

               0                       5

Wanted me to have the best.

         0                           7

She tried to raise me right but I

    0

refused.

 

Chorus


This file is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.