About the song

Mama Tried is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Merle Haggard. It was released in July 1968 as the first single from the album of the same name. The song became one of Haggard’s signature songs and is considered a classic of country music.

The song is a semi-autobiographical ballad about Haggard’s childhood and youth. Haggard’s father died when he was nine years old, and his mother struggled to raise him and his siblings. As a result, Haggard spent time in reform schools and juvenile detention centers.

“Mama Tried” is a moving and honest portrayal of a young man who is trying to find his way in the world. The song is full of regret and longing, but it also celebrates the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

The song’s lyrics are simple but powerful. Haggard sings about his mother’s attempts to keep him on the straight and narrow, but he admits that he often got into trouble. He sings about his time in prison, and how he came to realize that he needed to change his life.

The song’s melody is haunting and unforgettable. Haggard’s voice is strong and expressive, and he delivers the lyrics with conviction. The song’s simple arrangement allows Haggard’s voice and the lyrics to take center stage.

“Mama Tried” is a classic country song that has stood the test of time. It is a song about family, love, loss, and redemption. It is a song that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to find their way in the world.

Merle Haggard was one of the most influential country music singers of all time. He was known for his outlaw image and his honest, hard-hitting lyrics. Haggard’s music was often autobiographical, and he drew on his own experiences to write songs about love, loss, and the working class.

Haggard was born in Oildale, California, in 1937. He grew up in poverty and began playing music at a young age. He was in and out of prison for several years in his early adulthood, but he eventually turned his life around and became a successful country music singer.

Haggard had a string of hit singles in the 1960s and 1970s, including “Mama Tried,” “Okie from Muskogee,” and “Sing Me Back Home.” He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2010.

Haggard died in 2016 at the age of 79. He left behind a legacy of music that will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.

“Mama Tried” is a classic country song that is sure to touch your heart. It is a song about family, love, loss, and redemption. If you are a fan of country music, or if you are simply looking for a good song to listen to, then I highly recommend “Mama Tried”.

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Lyrics

The first thing I remember knowin’Was a lonesome whistle blowin’And a young un’s dream of growin’ up to rideOn a freight train leavin’ townNot knowin’ where I’m boundAnd no one could change my mind but Mama triedOne and only rebel childFrom a family, meek and mildMy Mama seemed to know what lay in storeDespite all my Sunday learnin’Towards the bad, I kept on turnin’‘Til Mama couldn’t hold me anymore
And I turned twenty-one in prison doin’ life without paroleNo one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama triedMama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I deniedThat leaves only me to blame ’cause Mama tried
Dear old Daddy, rest his soulLeft my Mom a heavy loadShe tried so very hard to fill his shoesWorkin’ hours without restWanted me to have the bestShe tried to raise me right but I refused
And I turned twenty-one in prison doin’ life without paroleNo one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama triedMama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I deniedThat leaves only me to blame ’cause Mama tried