The Grateful Dead — Mama Tried Live at the Oakland Coliseum October 10 1976

[Verse 1] The first thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin' And a youngin's dream of growin' up to ride On a freight train leavin' town, not knowin' where I was bound No one could steer me right, but mama tried Was the only rebel child from a family meek and mild My mama seemed to know what lay in store In spite of all my Sunday learnin' For the bad I kept on turnin' 'til mama couldn't hold me anymore [Chorus] And I turned twenty-one in prison, doin' life without parole No one could steer me right, but mama tried, mama tried Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleadin' I denied That leaves no one but me to blame 'cause mama tried [Verse 2] Dear old daddy rest his soul, left my mom a heavy load She tried so very hard to fill his shoes Workin' hours without rest, wanted me to have the best She tried to raise me right, but I refused [Chorus] And I turned twenty-one in prison, doin' life without parole No one could steer me right, but mama tried, mama tried Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleadin' I denied That leaves no one but me to blame 'cause mama tried [Instrumental Break] [Chorus] And I turned twenty-one in prison, doin' life without parole No one could steer me right, but mama tried, mama tried Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleadin' I denied That leaves no one but me to blame 'cause mama tried That leaves no one but me to blame 'cause mama tried