Songs for the Mama That Tried
Encyclopedia
Songs for the Mama That Tried is a Gospel
album by American
country
singer Merle Haggard
, released in 1981. It reached Number 46 on the Billboard Country album chart. It was his last principal release on MCA
having signed with Epic Records
. The title alludes to Haggard's 1968 song "Mama Tried
", a song which became a cornerstone of his career.
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
album by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
, released in 1981. It reached Number 46 on the Billboard Country album chart. It was his last principal release on MCA
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
having signed with Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
. The title alludes to Haggard's 1968 song "Mama Tried
Mama Tried (song)
"Mama Tried" is an American country music song written and recorded by Merle Haggard. Released in July 1968, the song became one of the cornerstone songs of his career...
", a song which became a cornerstone of his career.
Track listing
- "When God Comes and Gathers His Jewels" (Hank Williams)
- "Suppertime" (Ira P. Stanphill)
- "He Walks with Me (In the Garden)" (C. Austin Miles, Robert Hebble)
- "Softly and Tenderly" (Will L. Thompson)
- "Why MeWhy Me (Kris Kristofferson song)"Why Me" is an American country and gospel song written and recorded by Kris Kristofferson.-Song history:Kristofferson had become the toast of Nashville in the early 1970s, with the massive success of compositions including "For the Good Times," "Me and Bobby McGee," "Sunday Morning Coming Down,"...
" (Kris KristoffersonKris KristoffersonKristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
) - "Where No One Stands Alone" (Mosie Lister)
- "One Day at a TimeOne Day at a Time (song)"One Day at a Time" is a popular Country and Western-style Christian song written by Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson. It has been recorded by over 200 artists and has reached No.1 in several territories.- Marilyn Sellars version :...
" (Kristofferson, Marijohn WilkinMarijohn WilkinMarijohn Wilkin , née Melson, was an American songwriter, famous in the country music genre for writing a number of hits. Wilkin won numerous awards over the years and was referred to as "The Den Mother of Music Row," as chronicled in her 1978 biography from Word Books--Lord, Let Me Leave a Song...
) - "What a Friend We Have in JesusWhat a Friend We Have in Jesus"What a Friend We Have in Jesus" is a Christian hymn originally written by Joseph M. Scriven as a poem in 1855 to comfort his mother who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada. Scriven originally published the poem anonymously, and only received full credit for it in the 1880s. The tune to...
" (Joseph M. ScrivenJoseph M. ScrivenJoseph Medlicott Scriven, was an Irish poet, best known as the writer of the poem which became the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus".-Life:...
, Charles Crozat ConverseCharles Crozat ConverseCharles Crozat Converse was a United States attorney who also worked as a composer of church songs. He was born in Warren, Massachusetts. He is notable for setting to music the words of Joseph Scriven to become the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". Converse also published an arrangement of...
, Sid Feller) - "Swing Low, Sweet ChariotSwing Low, Sweet Chariot"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is a historic African-American spiritual. The first recording was in 1909, by the Fisk Jubilee Singers of Fisk University....
" (Traditional) - "Old Rugged Cross" (George BennardGeorge BennardGeorge Bennard was an American hymn composer and preacher. He is best known for composing the famous hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross".- Early years :...
) - "Keep on the Sunny SideKeep On the Sunny SideKeep On the Sunny Side is a popular American song originally written in 1899 by Ada Blenkhorn with music by J. Howard Entwisle . The song was popularized in a 1928 recording by the Carter Family...
" (A. P. CarterA. P. CarterAlvin Pleasant Delaney Carter , best known as A.P. Carter, was an American musician and founding member of The Carter Family, one of the most notable acts in the history of country music.-Life:...
)
Chart performance
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 46 |