Mama Tried chords by Willie Nelson

• Difficulty: Beginner 👶

Key: A

♫ Intro:

A D A D
A E A


♫ Verse 1:
A                      D
First thing I remember knowin'
      A                D
Was a lonesome whistle blowin'
      A                                  E
And a young man's dream of growing up to ride
        A                     D
So on a freight train leaving town
    A                 D
Not knowing where I'm bound
       A                   E              A
And no one could change my mind, but mama tried

♫ Verse 2:
A                  D
One and only rebel child
       A               D
From a family meek and mild
   A                               E
My mama seemed to know what lay in store
  A               D
Despite my Sunday learnin'
        A              D
Towards the bad I kept turnin'
     A             E          A
'Til mama couldn't hold me anymore


♫ Chorus:
A                                    D              A
I turned twenty-one in prison, doing life without parole
   F#m                                E
No one could steer me right, but mama tried, mama tried
     A                                 D            A
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied
                       E                  A
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause mama tried


Instrumental ♫ Bridge:
A D A D A  E7
A D A D E A


♫ Verse 3:
A                            D
Dear old daddy, rest his soul
        A           D
Left my mom a heavy load
    A                              E
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
        A             D
Working hours without rest
       A              D
Wanted me to have the best
    A                 E              A
She tried to raise me right, but I refused


Out-♫ Chorus:
A                                    D              A
I turned twenty-one in prison, doing life without parole
   F#m                                E
No one could steer me right, but mama tried, mama tried
     A                                 D            A
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied
                       E                  A
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause mama tried
                       E                  A
That leaves only me to blame, 'cause mama tried