The Everly Brothers – Mama Tried (Guitar)

E                          A
The first thing I remember knowin' was a 

E                A             E
lonesome whistle blowin' and a young'un's 

                       B
dream of growing up to ride.

     E                     A        E
On a freight train leavin' town not knowin' 

          A         E
where I'm bound and no one could change my 

B             E
mind but Mama tried.

E                  A            E
One and only rebel child from a family meek 

    A        E 
and mild, my Mama seemed to know what lay 

   B
in store.

            E             A
In spite of all my Sunday learnin', towards 

    E            A            E
the bad I kept a-turnin', til Mama couldn't 

B          E
hold me anymore.

E                                       A
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life 

        E
without parole.

   Dbm                               B
No one could steer me right but Mama tried, 

     E                                A
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading 

  E
I denied.

                       B                  E
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried.

E                        A             E
Dear old Daddy, rest his soul, left my Mom a 

      A
heavy load.

    E                              B
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes.

        E             A            E
Working hours without rest, wanted me to have 

    A
the best.

    E                 B            E
She tried to raise me right, but I refused.

E                                       A
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life 

        E
without parole.

   Dbm                               B
No one could steer me right but Mama tried, 

     E                                A
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading 

  E
I denied.

                       B                  E
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried.