Lyrics
First thing I remember knowin'
Reflecting on earliest memories
Was a lonesome whistle blowin'
Recalling a melancholic train whistle
And a young man's dream
A young man's aspiration to grow up
Of growin' up to ride
Desire to ride a freight train
On a freight train leavin' town
Leaving town on a train
Never knowin' where I'm bound
Uncertainty about destination
No one could change my mind but Mama tried
Mama's attempts to influence but unsuccessful
One and only rebel child
Rebellious child in a modest family
From a family, meek and mild
Mama's awareness of challenges ahead
My Mama seemed to know what lay in store
Mother's foresight despite upbringing
'Spite of all my Sunday learnin'
Struggle with temptation despite religious teachings
To the bad, I kept a turnin'
Continued defiance leading to separation
'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore
Mama's inability to control any longer
I turned twenty-one in prison
Reaching adulthood in a prison setting
Doing life without parole
Serving a life sentence without parole
No one could steer me right
Resistance to guidance from others
But Mama tried, Mama tried
Mama's persistent efforts to guide
Mama tried to raise me better
Attempts to instill better values
But her pleadings I denied
Rejection of Mama's advice
That leaves only me to
Acceptance of personal responsibility
Blame 'cause Mama tried
Self-blame for life choices
Dear old Daddy, rest his soul
Father's passing leaving a burden
Left my Mom a heavy load
Mama coping with the weight of responsibility
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
Mother's attempt to fill father's role
Workin' hours without rest
Mama working tirelessly without breaks
Wanted me to have the best
Desire for the child to have the best
She tried to raise me right but I refused
Mama's effort to guide, met with resistance
I turned twenty-one in prison
Repetition of turning 21 in prison
Doin' life without parole
Life sentence without the possibility of release
No one could steer me right
Continued resistance to guidance
But Mama tried, Mama tried
Mama's unwavering attempts to help
Mama tried to raise me better
Desire for a better upbringing from Mama
But her pleadings I denied
Rejection of Mama's teachings
That leaves only me to
Self-acknowledgment of responsibility
Blame 'cause Mama tried
Self-blame for not heeding Mama's guidance
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