Mama Tried
Mama Tried: A Journey of Rebellion, Regret, and Redemption
Lyrics
First thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin'
Reflecting on the earliest memory of a lonely train whistle.
And a young'uns dream of growin' up to ride
Expressing a child's aspiration to grow up and experience life.
On a freight train leavin' town, not knowin' where I'm bound
Describing a journey on a freight train without a clear destination.
And no one could change my mind, but Mama tried
Emphasizing the determination not to be swayed from one's chosen path, with acknowledgment of the mother's influence.
One and only rebel child from a family meek and mild
Highlighting the singer as the sole rebellious child in a gentle family.
My Mama seemed to know what lay in store
Noting the mother's awareness of what the future may hold for the rebellious child.
Spite of all my Sunday learnin', toward the bad I kept on turnin'
Acknowledging a persistent tendency to turn towards negative influences despite religious teachings.
Till Mama couldn't hold me anymore
Describing the point at which the mother can no longer control or influence the rebellious child.
I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole
Recounting the narrator's incarceration at the age of twenty-one with a life sentence.
No one could steer me right, but Mama tried, Mama tried
Recognizing the inability of anyone to guide the narrator in the right direction except for the mother.
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied
Acknowledging the mother's attempts to instill better values, but the narrator rejecting them.
That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried
Taking responsibility for the consequences, admitting fault for not heeding the mother's advice.
Dear old Daddy rest his soul left my Ma a heavy load
Referring to the father's death and the burden left for the mother to bear.
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
Highlighting the mother's earnest efforts to take on the father's role.
Workin' hours without rest, wanted me to have the best
Describing the mother's hard work and desire for the child to have a better life.
She tried to raise me right but I refused
Expressing the narrator's defiance in not accepting the mother's attempt to raise them well.
I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole
Reiterating the narrator's imprisonment at twenty-one, emphasizing the lack of guidance.
No one could steer me right, but Mama tried, Mama tried
Acknowledging the mother's attempt to steer the narrator in the right direction.
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied
Recognizing the mother's plea for a better life, which the narrator rejects.
That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried
Taking sole responsibility for the consequences due to the narrator's refusal to heed the mother's guidance.
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