The first thing I remember knowing
Was a lonesome whistle blowing
And a young gun screaming
On a freight train leaving town
Not knowing where I'm bound
No one could change my mind
From a family wicked mild
My mama seemed to know what lay in store
In spite of all my Sunday learning
Towards the bed I kept on turning
Till mama couldn't hold me anymore
And I turned 21 in prison
Doing life without parole
No one could steer me right
But momma tried, momma tried,
momma tried to raise me better
But her feeding I denied,
that leaves only me to blame
Dear old daddy rest his soul,
Working hours without rest,
wanted me to have the best
She tried to race me right,
And I turned 21 in prison,
doing life without parole
No one could see me right,
but Mama tried, Mama tried
Mama tried to race me better,
but her pleading I denied
That leaves only me to blame,
And I turned 21 in prison,
doing life without parole
No one could see me right,
but Mama tried, Mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better,
but her pleading I denied
At least only me to blame,
