Mama Tried

Who it's for

A man in prison looks back and admits his mother tried to raise him right and he chose his own path anyway.

Feelings it meets

• Shame
• Moral Injury
• Regret
• Family Roles

What it is

"Mama Tried" was released in July 1968 by Merle Haggard and The Strangers as the first single and title track of the album Mama Tried. The song centers on the pain the narrator's criminal path causes his mother, who tried to raise him right.

Where to find it

All major streaming services.

Before you start

Heads up: References to prison and crime.

Age: All ages

Yet you cannot lay remorse upon the innocent nor lift it from the heart of the guilty.Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet, “On Crime and Punishment”