Mamma Tried – Lyrics
Artist: Merle Haggard
Album: Mamma Tried (1968)
Songwriter: Merle Haggard
Total Time: 2:10
Structure: V | V | CH | V | CH
Mamma Tried
VERSE
The first thing I remember knowing, [A]
Was a lonesome whistle blowing, [A]
And a young un’s dream of growing up to ride. [B]
On a freight train leaving town, [C]
Not knowing where I’m bound, [C]
And no one could change my mind but Mama tried. [B]
VERSE
One and only rebel child, [D]
From a family, meek and mild, [D]
My Mama seemed to know what lay in store. [E]
Despite my Sunday learning, [F]
Towards the bad I kept turning, [F]
‘Til Mama couldn’t hold me anymore. [E]
CHORUS
I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole. [G]
No one could steer me right, but Mama tried, Mama tried. [B]
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I denied. [B]
That leaves only me to blame ’cause Mama tried. [B]
VERSE
Dear old Daddy, rest his soul, [G]
Left my Mom a heavy load, [G]
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes. [H]
Working hours without rest, [I]
Wanted me to have the best. [I]
She tried to raise me right but I refused. [H]
CHORUS
I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole. [G]
No one could steer me right, but Mama tried, Mama tried, [B]
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I denied. [B]
That leaves only me to blame ’cause Mama tried. [B]
© 1968 Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
POV | Perspective: 1st Person | External
BPM: 95
Times Title In Song: 9
—– WORD COUNTS —–
Total Word Count: 200
1 Syllable Words: 124 (62%)
3+ Syllable Words: 8 (4%)
: 35 (18%)Words 7+ Characters: 22 (11%)
Words <=3 Characters: 76 (38%)
Words Appearing Only Once: 103 (52%)
—– EASY TO UNDERSTAND? —–
Reading Ease Score: 78.0
Reading Level: 7th Grade
ARTICLE
