Mama Tried
Mama Tried: A Journey of Rebellion and Redemption
Lyrics
The first thing I remember knowin'
The earliest memory I have is...
Was a lonesome whistle blowin'
Hearing a distant train whistle
And a young un's dream of growin' up to ride
Having aspirations as a young person to grow up and travel by train
On a freight train leavin' town
Desiring to leave town on a freight train
Not knowin' where I'm bound
Not having a clear direction or destination
And no one could change my mind but Mama tried
Despite others' attempts, only my mother influenced my decisions
One and only rebel child
Being the only rebellious child
From a family, meek and mild
From a family characterized as humble and gentle
My Mama seemed to know what lay in store
My mother seemed aware of what was to come
Despite all my Sunday learnin'
Regardless of religious teachings
Towards the bad, I kept on turnin'
Continuing to gravitate towards trouble despite moral teachings
'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore
Reaching a point where even my mother couldn't control me
And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole
Turning 21 while imprisoned with a life sentence
No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried
No one could guide me correctly except my mother
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I denied
Despite my mother's efforts to raise me better, I resisted
That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried
Recognizing personal responsibility for not heeding my mother's guidance
Dear old Daddy, rest his soul
Referring to my deceased father
Left my Mom a heavy load
Leaving a significant burden for my mother
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
My mother's relentless efforts to fill the role left by my father
Workin' hours without rest
Working tirelessly without breaks
Wanted me to have the best
Desiring the best for me
She tried to raise me right but I refused
Despite her attempts, I resisted my mother's attempts to raise me properly
And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole
Reiterating turning 21 while serving a life sentence in prison
No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried
Reinforcing the idea that only my mother tried to guide me
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I denied
Despite her pleas, I resisted my mother's attempts at bettering me
That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried
Acknowledging my sole responsibility for not heeding my mother's efforts
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