Papa Was A Rollin' Stone Lyrics by The Temptations

It was the third of September
That day I'll always remember, yes I will
'Cause that was the day that my daddy died
I never got a chance to see him
Never heard nothin' but bad things about him
Mama, I'm dependin' on you to tell me the truth
Mama just hung her head and said, son

Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone
Papa was a rollin' stone (my son, yeah)
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone
Hey, Mama
Is it true what you say that Papa never worked a day in his life?
And Mama, some bad talk goin' round town sayin' that
Papa had three outside children
And another wife, and that ain't right
Heard some talk about Papa doin' some storefront preachin'
Talkin' about savin' souls and all the time leechin'
Dealin' in dirt and stealin' in the name of the Lord
Mama just hung her head and said

Papa was a rollin' stone (my son)
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone
Hey Papa was a rollin' stone (dad gumma it)
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone

Hey, Mama
I heard Papa called himself a jack-of-all-trades
Tell me is that what sent Papa to an early grave
Folks say Papa would beg, borrow, steal
To pay his bills
Hey, Mama
Folks say Papa never was much on thinkin'
Spent most of his time chasin' women and drinkin'
Mama, I'm dependin' on you to tell me the truth
Mama looked up with a tear in her eye and said, son
Papa was a rollin' stone (well, well, well, well)
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone (lone, lone, lone, alone)

Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone
My daddy was
Papa was a rollin' stone (yes he was, yeah)
Wherever he laid his hat was his home)