Mama Tried Lyrics

Merle Haggard 1968 Vinyl Record Memories


The Merle Haggard Mama Tried lyrics was written by Merle and was released in July 1968 as the first single and title track from the Mama Tried vinyl record album.

This song is one of eight #1 songs that Merle recorded between 1966 and 1969.

The song was written by Merle as he tried to focus on the pain and suffering he caused his mother due to his incarceration at San Quentin prison in 1957. Many country music fans could agree that a song like this could still find an audience today, as it has as much passion and depth as anything Merle Haggard ever recorded.

How many of us listening to this song can look back and say "If I had only listened to my Mama?" I'm sure Merle Haggard had that in the back of his mind when he wrote this sad song.


Mama Tried Lyrics
Life without Parole...Really?

Mama Tried Merle Haggard vinyl record memories from 1968.

Nobody but Merle Haggard could make you feel the hurt of having been taken from your home and living life behind bars.

Through his songwriting he always seemed to take you with him and make you feel the hurt he has experienced.

I do believe the song's lyrics are heavily influenced by Haggard's early life but it should be noted that although Merle was incarcerated in San Quentin, he was never sentenced to "Life without Parole" as was written in the song.

The song became one of the cornerstone songs of his career. The song won the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999.

The video below with Merle's rare intro shares life as he knew it back when he was young talking about his Mama and the hard times she faced. When you hear a purist talk about music not being "real" anymore, it’s a Merle Haggard song like this that they point to.


Mama Tried Lyrics
Written and recorded by
Merle Haggard, 1968

The first thing I remember knowing...
Was a lonesome whistle blowing...

And a young un's dream of growing up to ride...
On a freight train leaving town...Not knowing where I'm bound...

No-one could change my mind but Mama tried...
One and only rebel child...From a family, meek and mild...

My Mama seemed to know what lay in store...
Despite all my Sunday learning...

Towards the bad...I kept on turning...
'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore...

And I turned twenty-one in prison...doing life without parole...
No-one could steer me right but Mama tried... Mama tried...

Mama tried to raise me better...but her pleading I denied...
That leaves only me to blame 'cos Mama tried...

Instrumental break.

Dear old Daddy...rest his soul...Left my Mom a heavy load...
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes...

Working hours without rest...Wanted me to have the best...
She tried to raise me right but I refused...

And I turned twenty-one in prison...doing life without parole...
No-one could steer me right but Mama tried...Mama tried...

Mama tried to raise me better...but her pleading I denied...
That leaves only me to blame...'cos Mama tried.


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    When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold | Merle Haggard vinyl record memories

    When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again, performed by Merle Haggard in 2004 at Texas honky tonk, Billy Bob's. Merle performs 21 songs and the entrance of the talented Janie Fricke singing back-up on this number was a welcome bonus for all.

  • Merle Haggard features another great barroom song, "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink," a number-one song from the album, "Back to The Barrooms," filled with songs of bars, booze and the blues. Considered by many to be one of the finest stand alone country albums ever.

    Just Stay Here And Drink | Merle Haggard "Back to The Barrooms"

    Merle Haggard features another great barroom song, "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink," a number-one song from the album, "Back to The Barrooms," filled with songs of bars, booze and the blues. Considered by many to be one of the finest stand alone country albums ever.

  • Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star was co-written by Merle Haggard with Freddie Powers in 1987 and was the last of his thirty eight number one singles as a solo artist. Haggard wishes upon a star not for riches but for reconciliation with a lover, with a bit of doo-wop influence.

    Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star | Merle Haggard Vinyl Record Memories

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  • The Silver Wings Lyrics was written by Merle Haggard based on a plane trip. Romanticizing an airplane’s “silver wings” that took away his lover, Haggard sang so intimately that you wondered if you were eavesdropping.

    Silver Wings Lyrics | Merle Haggard Vinyl Record Memories.

    The Silver Wings Lyrics was written by Merle Haggard based on a plane trip. Romanticizing an airplane’s “silver wings” that took away his lover, Haggard sang so intimately that you wondered if you were eavesdropping.

  • "I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am" is a fan favorite from the 1970, "Fightin' Side of Me" live album. The introduction says it all. The Houselights blink, then dim. The crowd quiets. Then the intro and the man they've been waiting for. This is Merle Haggard - Live!

    Pride In What I Am | Merle Haggard Vinyl Record Memories

    "I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am" is a fan favorite from the 1970, "Fightin' Side of Me" live album. The introduction says it all. The Houselights blink, then dim. The crowd quiets. Then the intro and the man they've been waiting for. This is Merle Haggard - Live!

  • Misery and Gin was the first single off the album, "Back to The Barrooms," and the words alone make this one a true honky-tonk classic. Grab a cold one, add a couple of notches to the volume control. Your evening with classic honky-tonk is just gettin' started.

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  • That's The Way Love Goes was a #1 song for both Johnny Rodriguez and Merle Haggard, ten years apart. Haggard's version possesses a trace of sadness that somehow becomes uplifting mainly because of his masterful delivery of words and this duet with Jewel is solid gold.

    That's The Way Love Goes Lyrics | Merle Haggard duet with Jewel.

    That's The Way Love Goes was a #1 song for both Johnny Rodriguez and Merle Haggard, ten years apart. Haggard's version possesses a trace of sadness that somehow becomes uplifting mainly because of his masterful delivery of words and this duet with Jewel is solid gold.


 
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