Mama Tried
Mama Tried
Classic Country
Jerry Garcia
Key
Chords
A
A7
Bm
D
G
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Chord Chart
Backing Track
Lyrics
First thing I remember knowing was a lonesome whistle blowing
And a young ones dream of growing up to ride
On a freight train leaving town not knowing where I'm bound
No one could steer me right but mama tried.
One and only rebel child from a family meek and mild
My mama seemed to know what lay in store
In spite of all my Sunday learning towards the bad I kept on turning
Til mama couldn't hold me anymore.
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing 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.
My dear old daddy rest his soul left my mom a heavy load
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
Working hours without rest wanted me to have the best
She tried to raise me right but I refusedDemo Videos
Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley - Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried” - Teufen, Switzerland
Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley
![Russell Moore - Mama Tried [Live at WAMU's Bluegrass Country]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/amdgU8x5CLA/hqdefault.jpg)
Russell Moore - Mama Tried [Live at WAMU's Bluegrass Country]
Bluegrass Country Radio
"Mama Tried" written by Merle Haggard performed by John Jendzurski
AJ Lee & Blue Summit
Mama Tried-Live From Camp Wilson Creek On The Middlefork Of the Salmon River.
Brian Band
About This Song
Mama Tried is a Merle Haggard classic from 1968 that became a bluegrass standard after the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia recorded it with Old & In the Way in 1973. The song's autobiographical story of youthful rebellion resonated deeply with the counterculture crowd and helped bridge country and bluegrass audiences.
