Mama Tried Chords by Merle Haggard

[D] _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The _ _ _ first thing I remember [G] knowing was [D] a lonesome whistle [G] blowing [D] and a youngin's dream of growing
up [A] to ride.
_ [D] On a freight train leaving [G] town, [D] not knowing where [G] I'm bound, and [D] no one to change my mind,
but Mama tried.
_ One and only rebel [G] child from [D] a family meek [G] and mild, [D] my Mama seemed to know what lay
[A] in store.
_ [D] Despite all my [G] Sunday learning, [D] towards the bat I kept [G] on turning, [D] till Mama [A] couldn't
hold me [D] anymore.
_ I turned twenty-one in prison, [G] doing life without [D] parole.
No [Bm] one could steer me right, but [A] Mama tried.
Mama tried.
[D] Mama tried to raise me better, [G] but her pleading [D] I denied.
That leaves only me to blame, cause Mama tried. _ _ _
_ _ _ [G] _ _ _ _ [Dm] _
_ _ [A] _ [D] _ _ Dear old Daddy, [G] rest his soul, left [D] my Mama heavy [G] low.
[D] She tried so very hard to [A] fill his shoes.
Working [D]
hours [G] without rest, [D] wanted me to have [G] the best.
[D] She tried to raise [A] me right, but I [D] refused.
And I turned twenty-one in prison, [G] doing life without [D] parole.
No [Bm] one could steer me right, but [A] Mama tried.
Mama tried.
[D] Mama tried to raise me better, [G] but her pleading [D] I denied.
That leaves only [A] me to blame, cause [D] Mama tried. _ _ _
_ [G] _ [D] _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _