Mama Tried

Lyrics: Merle Haggard
Music: Merle Haggard

Played regularly by the Grateful Dead from its introduction in 1969.

First thing I remember knowing was that lonesome whistle blowing
And a young man'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
Mama seemed to know what lay in store
In spite of all my Sunday learning towards the bad I kept on turning
Mama couldn't hold me any more

Chorus
And I turned twenty one in prison doing life without parole
No-one could steer me right but mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied
That leaves only me to blame 'cause mama tried (note 1)

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

[chorus]
Notes
(1) at some point Bobby switched this line to "That leaves no one but me to blame 'cause mama tried"

Grateful Dead Recordings
     Date Album
     16 Aug 1969 Woodstock - Back To The Garden
      8 Nov 1969 Dick's Picks Vol 16
     2 Nov 1969 Dave's Picks Volume 43
     12 Dec 1969 Dave's Picks Volume 10
      2 Jan 1970 Dave's Picks Volume 30
     23 Jan 1970 Dave's Picks Volume 19
      2 Feb 1970 Dave's Picks Volume 6
     15 Apr 1970 30 Trips Around The Sun
     18 Apr 1970 Family Dog at the Great Highway
     18 Feb 1971 American Beauty (50th Anniversary Edition)
     13 Apr 1971 Dave's Picks Volume 51
     26 Apr 1971 Grateful Dead (Skull & Roses)
      2 Jul 1971 Grateful Dead (Skull & Roses) (50th Anniversary Bonus Disc)
      7 Aug 1971 Dick's Picks Vol 35
     11 Jun 1976 June 1976 Box Set
     14 Jun 1976 June 1976 Box Set
     18 Jun 1976 Download Series Vol 4
     17 Jul 1976 Dave's Picks Volume 18
     25 Sep 1976 Dick's Picks Vol 20
      3 Oct 1976 30 Trips Around The Sun
     10 Oct 1976 Dick's Picks Vol 33
     31 Dec 1976 Live At The Cow Palace
     26 Feb 1977 Dave's Picks Volume 29
     25 Apr 1977 30 Trips Around The Sun
     30 Apr 1977 Download Series Vol 1
      5 May 1977 May 1977: Get Shown The Light Box
      8 May 1977 May 1977: Get Shown The Light Box
     26 May 1977 Dave's Picks Volume 41
      5 Nov 1977 Dick's Picks Vol 34
     19 Dec 1977 Dick's Picks Vol 10
      7 Apr 1978 Friend Of The Devils: April 1978
     12 Apr 1978 Friend Of The Devils: April 1978
     16 Apr 1978 Friend Of The Devils: April 1978
      3 Jul 1978 July 1978: The Complete Recordings
     28 Dec 1979 Road Trips Vol 3, No 1
      3 Sep 1980 Download Series Vol 7
      9 Dec 1981 Dave's Picks Volume 20
      6 Apr 1982 Road Trips Volume 4, Number 4
      2 Sep 1983 Dave's Picks Volume 27
     14 Oct 1983 Dick's Picks Vol 6
     14 Mar 1990 Spring 1990 (The Other One)
     16 Jun 1990 View From The Vault III (video/DVD & CD soundtrack)
      8 Jul 1990 View From The Vault (video/DVD & CD soundtrack)
 
Other Dead-related Recordings
     Date Album Recorded By
     28 Aug 1969 Dawn Of The New Riders Of The Purple Sage NRPS with Bob Weir
     14 Oct 1969 Dawn Of The New Riders Of The Purple Sage NRPS
      4 Jun 1970 Dawn Of The New Riders Of The Purple Sage NRPS with Bob Weir
     2001 Blues Tribute To The Grateful Dead Various (Langhorne Slim)
     2008 Ithica 30 Years Later Dark Star Orchestra
     2012 Bryan Stow Benefit Concert Tim Flannery with Bob Weir (DVD)
     2019 Phantom Ships With Phantom Sails Live Dead '69
     Jun 2021 Live In Colorado Bob Weir & Wolf Bros


 


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