Key: D major
Verse 1
Eb
Bb
Eb
Ab
The first I remember knowin'
Eb
Ab
Was that lonesome whistle blowin'
Eb
And a youngin's dream
Fm
Bb
Of growin' up to ride
Verse 2
Eb
Ab
On a freight train leavin' town
Eb
Ab
Not knowin' where I was bound
Eb
No one could steer me right
Bb
Eb
But mama tried
Verse 3
Eb
Ab
Was the only rebel child
Eb
Ab
From a family meek and mild
Eb
Mama seemed to know
Ab
Bb
What lay in store
Verse 4
Eb
In spite of all my
Ab
Sunday learnin'
Eb
Ab
For the bad I kept on turnin'
Eb
Bb
Eb
And mama couldn't hold me anymore
Verse 5
Eb
And I turned 21 in prison
Db
Doin' life without parole
Eb
Cm
No one could steer me right
Bb
But mama tried, mama tried
Verse 6
Eb
Mama tried to raise me better
Ab
Eb
But her pleadin' I denied
That leaves no one but me to blame
Bb
'Cause mama tried
Eb
Verse 7
Ab
Dear old daddy rest his soul
Eb
Ab
Left my mom a heavy load
Eb
She tried so very hard
Ab
Bb
To fill his shoes
Verse 8
Eb
Ab
Workin' hours without rest
Eb
Ab
Wanted me to have the best
Fm
Bb
Oh, she tried to raise me right
Eb
But I refused
Verse 9
Eb
And I turned 21 in prison
Db
Doin' life without parole
Eb
Cm
No one could steer me right
Bb
But mama tried, mama tried
Verse 10
Eb
Mama tried to raise me better
Ab
Eb
But her pleadin' I denied
That leaves no one but me to blame
Bb
'Cause mama tried
Interlude 1
Eb
Ab
Eb
Ab
Eb
Bb
Eb
Ab
Eb
Ab
Eb
Bb
Eb
Ab
Eb
Ab
Eb
Ab
Bb
Eb
Ab
Eb
Ab
Eb
Bb
Eb
Verse 11
Eb
And I turned 21 in prison
Db
Eb
Doin' life without parole
Cm
No one could steer me right
Bb
But mama tried, mama tried
Verse 12
Eb
Mama tried to raise me better
Ab
But her pleadin' I denied
Eb
That leaves no one but me to blame
Bb
Eb
'Cause mama tried
That leaves no one but me to blame
Bb
'Cause mama tried
Outro 1
Eb
Bb
Eb
Eb
Bb
Eb
Bb
Eb
Bb
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ChordsEb Bb Ab Fm Db...
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