(Instrumental Intro)

Why'd I, do the crime
She tried, yeah Mama tried
I cried, walked the line
Mom tried, oh yeah, she tried

First thing I remember knowing; heard that whistle blow
Tried, tried, tried, mama tried
Didn't know where I was bound or what life had in store
Tried, tried, tried, mama tried

And now I cry, cause I know my mama tried, but her pleas I denied
oh, I know she tried, but now I'm in jail for life, with no parole in sight
didn't have no pride; but my Mama tried

Doin' life is not so sweet; I lived on that green mile
Tried, tried, tried, mama tried
She tried her best to steer me right but I was young and wild
Caught and tried; I nearly fried

Yeah, at my trial when the sentence was applied that judge said with a smile
"Now you're gonna fry" Then mom, she cried, and her pain she could not hide
She said "Please spare his life, please don't kill my child"

(Instrumental break)


"M'am, the things he did were vile, he'll have to do hard time"
Sighed, sighed, sighed, yeah my mama sighed


Now I reside in a cell about my size; this is a lousy life
I'm a convicts bride. And though a guy this con makes me spread my thighs
He doesn't use KY, it's a bumpy ride

Quite a bumpy ride
sleepin' on my side
know my mama tried
Lord, I know she tried

(Drum solo)

{Lots of screams and shouts during the final part here all the way until the end}

Tried, tried, tried, mama tried
tried, tried, tried, mama tried
tried, tried, tried, mama tried
tried, tried, tried, mama tried
tried, tried, tried, mama tired
tried, tried, tried, mama tried
tried, tried, tried, mama tried
tried, tried, tried, mama tried
tried, tried, tried, know she tried
Yeah, my mama tried
Oh, my mama tried
Yeah, you know she tried
Yes, my mama tried

(Instrumentals to fade)