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)
More Songs of Merle Haggard:
- “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink” – A Merle Haggard Beautiful Classic Song [Live from Austin, TX]
- Merle Haggard’s Inspiring Song “Natural High” (Live at Farm Aid 1985)
- Merle Haggard Classic: “Mama Tried” Live Performance in Austin, Texas
- Merle Haggard Classic: “Listening To The Wind” (Live Performance)
- Lovely Duet of Merle Haggard & Bonnie Owens – “Today I Started Loving You Again”
- Merle Haggard – “One Day At A Time” (Country Gospel Song)
- Legendary Country Singer Merle Haggard Sings “The Old Rugged Cross” Gospel Hymn
Buy Albums of Merle Haggard at Amazon!
- Hag: The Best Of Merle Haggard [CD] by Merle Haggard
- Down Every Road 1962 – 1994 by Merle Haggard | Nov 11, 2016
- Sing Me Back Home: The Music Of Merle Haggard 2020 | CC
- Hag: The Studio Recordings 1969-1976 by Merle Haggard | Sep 17, 2007
- 16 Biggest Hits by Merle Haggard | Jan 18, 2011
- Merle Haggard: Salute to a Country Legend 2020 | TV-PG | CC
- Merle Haggard – 20 Greatest Hits by Merle Haggard | Feb 26, 2002
- CLICK HERE for more Merle Haggard Albums
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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Tags: Merle Haggard music , Merle Haggard, Merle Haggard Natural High, Country music, classic country music, Bonny Owens
