Merle Haggard

^D The first thing I remember ^G knowin' was a ^D lonesome whistle ^G blowin',
And a ^D youngun's dream of ^G growin' up to ^A7 ride,
On a ^D freight train leavin' ^G town, not ^D knowin' where I'm ^G bound.
And ^D no one could change my ^A7 mind but Momma ^D Tried.
^D One and only Rebel ^G child from a ^D fam'ly meek and ^G mild
My ^D momma seemed to to ^G know what lay in ^A7 store,
'Spite ^D all my Sunday ^G learnin' towards the ^D bad I kept on ^G turnin',
'Til ^D momma couldn't ^A7 hold me any ^D more.
Chorus
^D And I turned twenty-one in ^D7 prison doin' ^G life without ^D parole,
No ^Bm one could steer me right but Mamma ^A7 Tried, Momma Tried
Momma ^D Tried to raise me ^D7 better but her ^G pleading I de ^D nied
And that leaves only me to ^A7 blame, cause Momma ^D Tried
Verse 3:
^D Dear ole' daddy, rest his ^G soul left my ^D mom a heavy ^G load,
She ^D tried so very ^G hard to feel his ^A7 shoes,
Workin' ^D hours without ^G rest, wanted ^D me to have the ^G best
She ^D tried to raise me ^A7 right but I re ^D fused.
Chorus