Mama I Tried

You had big plans, I understand

You wanted more for me than you ever got from a man

Fancy dresses, big diamond rings

House full of babies and designer blue jeans

Mama I tried, Mama I tried

I cheated, and I lied

I painted up my face like a rodeo clown

And I choked on cheap perfume as I spread myself around

I strutted my stuff at every juke joint in town

Always a bridesmaid, never the bride

Mama, Mama I tried

I got so close so many times

Now I'll never get back the best years of my life

Empty proposals, all talk no show

It's gettin' too hard to keep holdin' on, now you've got to let it go

Mama I tried, Mama I tried

I cheated, and I lied

I painted up my face like a rodeo clown

And I choked on cheap perfume as I spread myself around

I strutted my stuff at every juke joint in town

Always a bridesmaid, never the bride

Mama, Mama I tried

Lord have mercy

Mama I tried, Mama I tried

I cheated, and I lied

I painted up my face like a rodeo clown

And I choked on cheap perfume as I spread myself around

I strutted my stuff at every juke joint in town

Always a bridesmaid, never the bride

Mama, Mama I tried

Goddammit, Mama I tried