The first thing I remember knowin'
Was a lonesome whistle blowin'
On a freight train leavin' town
Not knowin' we're unbound
And no one could change my mind
A woman -only rebel child
From a family meagre and mild
My Mama seemed to know what lay in store
In spite of all my Sunday learning
To the wrongs I kept on turning
Till Mama couldn't hold me anymore
Imprisoned in a life without parole
No one could steer me right,
Mama tried to raise me better
But her pleadin' eye to night,
that leaves only me to blame
My dear old daddy, rest his soul,
Working hours without rest
Wanted me to have the best
And I turned 21 in prison
Doing life without parole
No one could steer me right
But Mama tried, Mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better
Put her pleadin' night and night
That leaves only me to blame
Well, that leaves only me to blame