This a wonderful moment happened in California when Merle Haggard sings the classic “Mama tried” to his Mom. “Mama Tried” is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard and The Strangers. It was released in July 1968 as the first single and title track from the album Mama Tried. The song became one of the cornerstone songs of his career. It won the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999, and was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry due to its “cultural, historic, or artistic significance” on March 23, 2016, just 14 days before Haggard’s death.

About Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard, in full Merle Ronald Haggard, (born April 6, 1937, Oildale, California, U.S.—died April 6, 2016, near Redding, California), American singer, guitarist, and songwriter, one of the most popular country music performers of the late 20th century, with nearly 40 number one country hits between the late 1960s and the mid-1980s.

Haggard won numerous awards from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, and in 1984 he captured a Grammy Award for best country vocal performance for “That’s the Way Love Goes.” He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (1994) and the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2007). In 2010 Haggard was named a Kennedy Center honoree. (Source: Britanicca)

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Mama Tried Lyrics

Song by Merle Haggard

The first thing I remember knowing
Was a lonesome whistle blowing
And a young gun’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 the family, meek and mild
My mama seemed to know what lay in store
Despite all my Sunday learning
Towards the bad I kept on turning
‘Til mama couldn’t hold me anymore

And I turned 21 in prison, doing life without parole
No one could steer me right but mama tried, mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading, I denied
That leaves only me to blame ’cause mama tried

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

I turned 21 in prison, doing life without parole
No one could steer me right but mama tried, mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading, I denied
Leaves only me to blame ’cause mama tried

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Merle Haggard

Mama Tried lyrics © Sony/atv Tree Publishing, Kobalt Music Services Ltd Kms, Amanda Ghost Ltd

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