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Mama Tried

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Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

This is based off of Laci Kaye Booth's American Idol audition.
[Verse 1]
The first thing GI remember knowinCg
Was a Glonesome whistle Cblowing
And a Gyoung'un's dream of growing up to Dride
On a Gfreight train leaving Ctown
Not Gknowing where I'm Cbound
And Gno one could change my Dmind but mama Gtried
One and Gonly rebel cChild
From a Gfamily meek and Cmild
My Gmama seemed to know what lay in Dstore
Despite Gall my Sunday lCearning
Towards the Gbad I kept on Cturning
'Til Gmama couldn't Dhold me aGnymore
[Chorus]
And I turned Gtwenty-one in prison doing Clife without Gparole
No Emone could steer me right but mama Dtried, mama tried
Mama tGried to raise me better, but her Cpleading I dGenied
That leaves only me to Dblame 'cause mama Gtried
[Verse 2]
Dear old Gdaddy, rest his Csoul
Left my Gmom a heavy Cload
She Gtried so very hard to fill his Dshoes
Working Ghours without Crest
Wanted Gme to have the Cbest
She Gtried to raise me Dright but I Grefused
[Chorus]
And I turned Gtwenty-one in prison doing Clife without Gparole
No Emone could steer me right but mama Ctried, mama Dtried
Mama Gtried to raise me better, but her Cpleading I Gdenied
That leaves only me to Dblame 'cause mama Gtried

All chords in this song (4)

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Mama Tried

by Laci Kaye Booth

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

This is based off of Laci Kaye Booth's American Idol audition.

[Verse 1]

G C

The first thing I remember knowing

G C

Was a lonesome whistle blowing

G D

And a young'un's dream of growing up to ride

G C

On a freight train leaving town

G C

Not knowing where I'm bound

G D G

And no one could change my mind but mama tried

G C

One and only rebel child

G C

From a family meek and mild

G D

My mama seemed to know what lay in store

G C

Despite all my Sunday learning

G C

Towards the bad I kept on turning

G D G

'Til mama couldn't hold me anymore

[Chorus]

G C G

And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole

Em D

No one could steer me right but mama tried, mama tried

G C G

Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied

D G

That leaves only me to blame 'cause mama tried

[Verse 2]

G C

Dear old daddy, rest his soul

G C

Left my mom a heavy load

G D

She tried so very hard to fill his shoes

G C

Working hours without rest

G C

Wanted me to have the best

G D G

She tried to raise me right but I refused

[Chorus]

G C G

And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole

Em C D

No one could steer me right but mama tried, mama tried

G C G

Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied

D G

That leaves only me to blame 'cause mama tried

About Mama Tried Chords by Laci Kaye Booth

Learn how to play Mama Tried by Laci Kaye Booth with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Mama Tried chords”, “Mama Tried guitar chords”, or “Laci Kaye Booth 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 G, C, D, Em.

FAQ — Mama Tried by Laci Kaye Booth

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What key is "Mama Tried" in?

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