'Mama Tried' by Merle Haggard - Guitar Tutorial

            G                            C               G                  C  
The first thing I remember knowing was a lonesome whistle blowing 
       G                    C              D7  
And a youngun's dream of growing up to ride 
      G                       C           G                C  
On a freight train leaving town  not knowing where I'm bound 
     G                        D7              G  
And no one could change my mind but Mama Tried 
  
                    C              G               C  
One and only Rebel child from a family meek and mild 
    G                C                  D7  
My mama seemed to know what lay in store 
       G               C                   G             C  
Spite all my Sunday learning with the bad I kept on turning 
      G               D7         G  
Till mama couldn't hold me anymore 
  
Chorus:
                                         C              G  
And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole 
                                      D7  
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 
                            D7                 G  
And that leaves only me to blame cause Mama Tried 
  
                           C              G           C  
Dear ole' daddy  rest his soul left my mom a heavy load 
     G               C                  D7  
She tried so very hard to feel his shoes 
         G               C              G            C  
Working hours without rest  wanted me to have the best 
     G                   D7              G  
She tried to raise me right but I refused 
  
Repeat chorus