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Mama Tried

Chords

5.0312 votes

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Mama Tried chords *
[Intro]
D A D
[Verse 1|
The Dfirst thing I remember Gknowin
Was that Dlonesome whistle Gblowin'
And a Dyoungin's dream
Of Ggrowin' up to Aride
On a Dfreight train leavin' Gtown
Not Dknowin' where I was Gbound
DNo one could change my Amind
But mama DtriedG  D  
[Verse 2]
One and Donly rebel Gchild
From a Dfamily meek and Gmild
DMama seemed to Gknow
What lay in Astore
In spite of Dall my
Sunday Glearnin'
For the Dbad I kept on Gturnin'
And Dmama couldn't Ahold me anyDmoreG  D  
[Chorus]
And I turned D21 in prison
Doin' Clife without paDrole
No Bmone could steer me right
But mama Atried, mama A7tried
Mama Dtried to raise me better
But her Gpleadings I deDnied
That leaves only me to Ablame
'Cause mama Dtried
[Interlude]
D A D
[Verse 3]
Dear old Ddaddy rest his Gsoul
Left my Dmom a heavy Gload
She Dtried so very Ghard
To fill his Ashoes
Workin' Dhours without Grest
Wanted Dme to have the Gbest
Oh, she Dtried to raise me Aright
But I reDfusedG  D  
[Chorus]
And I turned D21 in prison
Doin' Clife without paDrole
No Bmone could steer me right
But mama Atried, mama A7tried
Mama Dtried to raise me better
But her Gpleadin' I deDnied
That leaves only me to Ablame
'Cause mama DtriedG  D  
[Solo]
D G
D G
D G A
D G
D G
D A D G D
[Chorus]
And I turned D21 in prison
Doin' Clife without paDrole
No Bmone could steer me right
But mama Atried, mama A7tried
Mama Dtried to raise me better
But her Gpleadin' I deDnied
That leaves only me to Ablame
'Cause mama DtriedG  D  
[Outro]
That leaves only me to Ablame
'Cause mama Dtried
Capo II
  D= C  
  G= F  
  A= G  
 Bm= Am  
 A7= G7  

All chords in this song (9)

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Mama Tried

by Grateful Dead

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Mama Tried chords *

[Intro]

D A D

[Verse 1|

D G

The first thing I remember knowin

D G

Was that lonesome whistle blowin'

And a youngin's dream

G A

Of growin' up to ride

D G

On a freight train leavin' town

D G

Not knowin' where I was bound

D A

No one could change my mind

D G D

But mama tried

[Verse 2]

D G

One and only rebel child

D G

From a family meek and mild

D G

Mama seemed to know

What lay in store

In spite of all my

Sunday learnin'

D G

For the bad I kept on turnin'

D A D G D

And mama couldn't hold me anymore

[Chorus]

And I turned 21 in prison

C D

Doin' life without parole

No one could steer me right

A A7

But mama tried, mama tried

Mama tried to raise me better

G D

But her pleadings I denied

That leaves only me to blame

'Cause mama tried

[Interlude]

D A D

[Verse 3]

D G

Dear old daddy rest his soul

D G

Left my mom a heavy load

D G

She tried so very hard

To fill his shoes

D G

Workin' hours without rest

D G

Wanted me to have the best

D A

Oh, she tried to raise me right

D G D

But I refused

[Chorus]

And I turned 21 in prison

C D

Doin' life without parole

No one could steer me right

A A7

But mama tried, mama tried

Mama tried to raise me better

G D

But her pleadin' I denied

That leaves only me to blame

D G D

'Cause mama tried

[Solo]

D G

D G A

D G

D A D G D

[Chorus]

And I turned 21 in prison

C D

Doin' life without parole

No one could steer me right

A A7

But mama tried, mama tried

Mama tried to raise me better

G D

But her pleadin' I denied

That leaves only me to blame

D G D

'Cause mama tried

[Outro]

That leaves only me to blame

'Cause mama tried

Capo II

D C

G F

A G

Bm Am

A7 G7

About Mama Tried Chords by Grateful Dead

Learn how to play Mama Tried by Grateful Dead with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Mama Tried chords”, “Mama Tried guitar chords”, or “Grateful Dead Mama Tried chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Mama Tried chords and for experienced players who want accurate Mama Tried lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, A, G, C, Bm, A7.

FAQ — Mama Tried by Grateful Dead

How do I play "Mama Tried" by Grateful Dead on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Mama Tried" by Grateful Dead on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Mama Tried" by Grateful Dead free?

Yes. The chords for "Mama Tried" by Grateful Dead are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Mama Tried" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Mama Tried" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Mama Tried"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Mama Tried" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Mama Tried" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Mama Tried" by Grateful Dead with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Grateful Dead below.

What key is "Mama Tried" in?

The chords for "Mama Tried" show the original chord names (including D, A, G, C, Bm, A7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.