If this were the only song Merle ever recorded he'd still be a legend.

If you're reading my comment now, you have a good taste in music mostly because this is 2020. Love you!

"A week ago dad told us he was gonna pass on his birthday, and he wasn't wrong. A hour ago he took his last breath surrounded by family and friends. He loved everything about life and he loved that everyone of you gave him a chance with his music. He wasn't just a country singer.. He was the best country singer that ever lived." Ben Haggard

Country music just doesn't get any better than this.

Today's so called country artists need to listen to this.

How many are listening to the greatest in 2023.. my Uncle traveled with him for a few months when he went on tour...

i turned 21 in prison doing life without parole... those lyrics hit hard

This song will always stand as a perfect example of American music

This song needs to be longer.

They don't make em like that anymore...

This live version is better than the studio version. Hats off to him.

Gonna be a great concert in Heaven. Merle,Johnny, Waylon, George Jones.🎸🎵🎶🎤.

Let's not talk about his passing. Let's celebrate his life and his music. Merle brought pleasure and happiness to millions of us

the thing i love about the old country guys is they could sing outside of the studio as well as in it

It’s hard to say, but I think Merle was the best country musician ever! He has a huge catalog of amazing songs. His hard life, gave him such a feeling for beautiful music. Live on brother!

In my humble opinion, this song is the best example of pure country and western musîc. My dad used to deliver mail to Merle and his mom , Flossie, over half a century ago. I live not a half mile from there today. House is a converted boxcar.

My son chose this for his dance with me at his wedding, because "mama tried". We laughed that his new in-laws might worry about the turning 21 in prison - he actually never was anything more trying than a free thinker but I was a single mom. The new family members were from Long Island so we're just impressed with our "two-step". Anyway, thanks, Merle, for so many great songs tied to so many memories for me and millions more.

RIP Merle, you were real country

RIP Merle. Thank you for so many wonderful songs over the years.

I can totally relate, except it was 15 years....songs like this help me keep my mind right still, and I've been free almost 20 years now. Never underestimate the power of song.

I relate to this song too much with the exception of being paroled after 20 years.

The amount of comments on here just speak to what you meant to so many. God bless.

My mom passed away March 10th of this year. This song tears me up, it so reminds me of my early years as a teen and young adult. She was the only person on this planet that didnt give up on me. I miss her so much.

We share the same birthday, I loved this song in 69 as today, RIP country legend MH.

The first thing I remember knowing Was a lonesome whistle blowing And a young'un's dream of growing up to ride On a freight train leaving town Not knowing where I'm bound And no one could change my mind but Mama tried One and only rebel child From a 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 Till Mama couldn't hold me anymore And I turned twenty-one 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 And I turned twenty-one 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

The finest country voice in the business. Period.

For my money, this ranks in the top 5 best country songs of all-time.

Gangster out of Htown banging this in my low low hit different

',It's the story in a country song' is what appeals to people. That's what I tell my friend about country music when he complains about it at a bar. Keep writing the stories in the music.

Merle Forever. Hailing from Bakersfield, Ca. 🤟🏽

Thank you Mr. Haggard for providing decades of real country music and being an inspiration to all the up-and-comers....

Starting 2021 out with good music

I have the title of this song tattooed on my wrist. Great old Prison song. Thank you Merle for all the good music you put out.

PBS Country Music Documentary brought me here.

I went to see George and Merle in the early 80's. Guess who didn't show up....Merle. George put one of hell of show on though. He joked about it all night.

Find a video with Merle doing impressions of other country singers. It is great!

I so do love the "old" country music!

I had a stare down with Merle, at a Merle Kristofferson concert. I was front row and was watching Merle idle while Kris was singing; Merle noticed me, not grinning like an idiot like everyone else. I was literally right in front of him at the base of the stage. Merle lowered his dark glasses on his nose and stared at me. I didn't flinch, move or change my expression. We stared at each other like that until it was time for Merle to get up and join Kris, must've been a full minute. No idea what he was thinking but it was damn cool.

Love this song! Takes me back to my youth after Church.. Going to my Gram & Pops house they had music like this playing on the stereo with the kitchen very busy preparing a meal.

First thing I remember knowin Was a lonesome whistle blowing!!!!! Those two lines turned me into a Merle haggard fanatic and I'm glad he and charley pride were BROTHERS ill try my best to sing traditional country and western music

This is why you listen to your mama’s boys, dont want to leave her alone while you are serving time, especially a term to life

RIP. Thanks to him and to the Dead for exposing me to his music.

My Dad loved Merle! Dad always sat on back porch, drinking a beer at night! I was the record changer, played Merle's songs for hi, would sit out there on the porch and sing along with Dad~ Special memories!

I am Mexican, I am 28 years old and I love this song ♥ ️

A MAN's Man 💪 An America 🇺🇸 legend and Hero 🇺🇸 Americana 💯%🇺🇸💪👏 One of the best and greatest Songwriter 📻🎤 Singer of all Times 👏 Good human being 🇺🇸✝️🇺🇸 God bless you 💒🙌 Mighty Merle 🙏 Gone but not forgotten 😇 RIP 🇺🇸🇨🇱🇩🇪

They don't make music like this anymore

I'm an old man now, but in my 20s I was a disc jockey at a little AM radio station in Dothan, Alabama, WAGF which was put on the air in 1933. I remember when Merle first hit the charts and I got MANY requests for his songs. This is one of my favorites. I'll miss Merle a lot.

Love this song, as I can relate. I change the lyrics around a bit to suit me, "I turned 21 in county sentenced to 12-18 months, no one could steer me right but mama tried". Yes sir that was a crappy 21st birthday but no more birthdays in prison for this ole gal.. Thank God and thank mama!

I bought tickets to go see Merle for my Dad and myself for Father’s Day about 10 years ago. Not only did he put on a fantastic show, but the opening act was the divine country singer Neko Case. What an amazing concert!

Grew up listening to Merle Haggard songs, Dad loved his songs! We sang together on the back porch when I was a kid! Good memories!

No song defines Country Music more than this one.

how do people not like this song? I feel like i'm 6 years old whenever i hear this song

All these guys sing it so well because they lived it🤠🤠🤠👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Merle wrote and sang from his heart that touched so many common people that felt his pain and believed every song he sang. Others may have tried to copy his style vocally, but at the end of the day, there is only one “Hag”. Thanks for sharing this video and keeping his legend alive.

I just saw the Strangers movie 😎👍

he died on my 20th birthday :( I'll keep his music alive forever

Theres a live concert every time this song comes on in my truck, I'm full voice singing every time.

Wow, a young Merle! Loved this song! Dad and I spent many good times singing together on the back porch! Dad passed in 2005, miss him, everyday!

first thing i remember knowing, was Christmas time and snowing, and a young ones dream of a sleigh ride. When Christmas rolled around, not a present could be found. no one could steer me right but Santa tried no disrepute, i made this up years ago

I grew up loving Merle Haggard, one of my Dad's favorites! We sang this song together many nights! Will always love this!

So did mine. God bless her. She tried damn near everyday. Thank you momma!!

”And i turned 21 in prison, doin’ life without parole. No one could steer me right but mama trind..” That is some deep and well written lyrics. It goes right into my heart, since i’m one of those who left my hometown as soon as i could, looking for the adventures of life. Well, it ended up with myself goin’ the wrong path in life. Luckily, i hadn’t done anything that landed me in jail for the rest of my life, but i still learned my lesson. I managed to steer my life right again, and now i’m here since this song has a deep connection with me. Thank you Merle for this song. It has meant a lot to me. May you rest in peace.

Every time I listen to this song makes my belief ever stronger that god is there . Merle was truly blessed. Love you Mr. Merle Haggard.

One of my Dad's favorite songs, played his albums while my Mom cooked! Sat on back porch with my Dad and sang with him! Great memories!

I spent a lot of birthdays in prison: 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st. Most of the guys had little to no contact with their fathers, but almost always loved and respected their mother and the sacrifices they made.

Thank you for the good times Merle. RIP.

One of his best songs........No one could do this better than Merle! 2018

so long, Hag. From Italy.

Rest in Peace Outlaw ..............

Merle, you were truly one of a kind here on earth. Now you're in the Glory and the presence of our Lord and God. Thank you for your awesome music.

Who's here in 2020!!??

Man! That bass player was thumping the shit out of that thing @ 1:15. Epic showmanship.

RIP to a true country legend!

RIP....Thanks for the Great Great Music. : (

Pure country. Pure gold.

Still one of my favorite songs and still better than some of today's country music

He was SO HANDSOME when he was younger!!!

I always liked this song it reminds me of my son Joey.

R.I.P. Merle such a sad day :(((((((((

Never realized that Haggard was a damn good looking man back in the day.

Love this song! I grew up on Merle's songs! Dad loved him!

the boys and I will never forget him. R.I.P.

Stunned to go from "Yay ! It is Merle's birthday, let's crank his music up !" to a few hours later, crying while I do because -- that quick and without warning -- he is gone ... Sing me back home, Merle, on Silver Wings, I have a feeling that the bottle is going to let me down and I definitely have the working man blues now ... Thanks for the music, Hag. You done good.

He sounds amazing live

I love Merle's voice and his poetry in his songs is wonderful!!!

Never served jail time, but I still think of this song every Mother's Day

RIP Merle Haggard. 04/06/1937-04/06/2016. He passed away on his birthday. Crazy thing is, he told people close to him that he was going to pass away on his birthday. You'll be missed.

All his son’s and grandsons look like him and sing like him, thank goodness those genes live on ❤️😘🌹

In "Mama Tried", Haggard focuses on the pain and suffering he caused his own mother by being incarcerated in 1957 in San Quentin!!!!

This song is quit autobiographical, including spending 3 years in prison. In fact, The Man In Black, Johnny Cash went to and preform. like all as he often did. Merle Haggard was so moved and so inspired that he decided , I want to do what that man does. It was an experience, seeing Johnny Cash play from prison, made Haggard completely do a 180lwhen he found a hero was coming to entertain some of those who need it most.

He Restin in them green green grasses of home now

The strangers this song gives me so many memories from that murder me nd my boys did

He was one good looking man!

nostalgia......

The difference between the song and setting is hilarious

rip Merle Haggard

Merle is God......Does anyone out there know the name of the host on the show? Thanks!!!!

LYRICS OTHER RECORDINGS ARTISTS LISTEN PEOPLE ALSO SEARCH FOR The first thing I remember knowin' Was a lonesome whistle blowin' And a young un's dream of growin' up to ride On a freight train leavin' town Not knowin' where I'm bound And no one could change my mind but Mama tried One and only rebel child From a family, meek and mild My Mama seemed to know what lay in store Despite all my Sunday learnin' Towards the bad, I kept on turnin' 'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' 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 Workin' hours without rest Wanted me to have the best She tried to raise me right but I refused And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' 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

I like the younger Haggard, and looked up to him when I was a teenager. In his later years I didn't like how he supported Hillary, and seemed to turn his back on "If you don't love it, leave it" when he said he was stupid when he was younger.

What happened to this.. it’s 2020 and music just isn’t like this...