(Originally by Merle Haggard)

The first thing I remember knowin'
Was a lonesome whistle blowin'
And a young un'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 family, meek and mild,
My Mama seemed to know what lay in store.
Despite 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.
That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried.