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Mama Couldn't Be Persuaded Lyrics

Gambler ambled down a country lane
Looking for a game of chance
She was twenty-one or two
And she knew what she wanted
And she wanted that gamblin' man

Her parents warned her
Tried to reason with her
She was determined that she wanted Bill
They'd all be offended at the mention still
If they heard this song, which I doubt they will

And my Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her
"Daughter don't marry that gamblin' man."
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her
"Daughter don't marry that gamblin' man."
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her
No, no, nevertheless
I said my Mama couldn't be persuaded
when they pleaded with her
"Daughter, don't marry that gamblin' man."

Gambler tried to be a family man
Though it didn't suit his style
He thought he had him a winning combination
So he took us where the stakes were high
Her parents warned her
Tried to reason with her
Never kept their disappointment hid
They all went to pieces when the bad luck hit
Stuck in the middle, I was the kid

And my Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her
"Daughter don't marry that gamblin' man."
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her
"Daughter don't marry that gamblin' man."
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her
No, no, nevertheless
M-m-m-m-m-mama couldn't be persuaded
when my Grannie pleaded with her
Not to marry that gamblin' man.

[fiddle: David Lindley]

I said my mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her
"Daughter don't marry that gamblin' man."
Mama couldn't be persuaded
When they pleaded with her
"Daughter don't marry that gamblin' man."
Mamaa---
M-m-m-Mama couldn't be persuaded when they pleaded with her
"Daughter don't marry that gamblin' man."
2 Meanings

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Cover art for Mama Couldn't Be Persuaded lyrics by Warren Zevon

Sad, beautiful, and IMO, autobiographical.

Cover art for Mama Couldn't Be Persuaded lyrics by Warren Zevon

Somewhat similar in theme to his song "Tenderness On The Block," which is one of his all-time classics. Warren is such an incredible storyteller.

Isn't this one truly autobiographical, about his parents, not the rhetorical "I"?

Warren described his dad as a two-bit gangster--can't recall reading anything about his Mom...

 
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