Merle Haggard
Mama Tried

Rhythm: Carter-Style, Alternating Bass Lines

Banjo Lead in Numbers: On High D String (for Guitar, add 2)


Intro:

Rest    Rest    D          D      
7 754 0 7 75 4  0 7 75 4 0 7 75 4

                7    7     5    5 
                D          G
The first thing I remember knowing
      7        7       12 12   
      D                G
Was a lonesome whistle blowin’
                                           (pulloff; hammer on)
      7         7         5     4      2   0-2 2-0   (continues; chords on chorus)
      D                                A7
And a youngun’s dream of growin’ up to ride,
     D                     G
On a freight train leaving town,
    D                    G
Not knowing to where I’m bound
       D                   A7            D
And no one could change my mind but mama tried

        D          G
One and only rebel child
       D               G
From a family meek and mild
   D                               A7
My mama seemed to know what lay in store
       D             G
‘Spite all my Sunday learnin’
           D             G
Toward the bad I kept on turnin’
     D             A7         D
‘til mama couldn’t hold me anymore

    CHORUS:
                 D                          G              D
    And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole
	  Bm                                A
    No one could steer me right but mama tried (Mama Tried)
         D                                G            D
    Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied,
                                     A7                 D
    And now there’s no one but me to blame because mama tried


GUITAR SOLO: 
D G D D 


         D               G
Dear old Daddy, rest his soul,
        D           G
Left my mom a heavy load
    D                              A7
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
        D             G
Workin’ hours without rest
       D              G
Wanted me to have the best
    D                 A7            D
She tried to raise me right but I refused

	REPEAT CHORUS

OUTRO:
D         D     D
7 7 5 4 0 7 7 5 4