Lyrics: Papa Was A Rollin' Stone

(As recorded by the Temptations)
NORMAN WHITFIELD
BARRETT STRONG

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 depending 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, oh
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, well well

Hey mama, is it true what they say that papa never worked a day in his life
And mama, some bad talk goin' around town sayin' that
papa had three outside children
And another wife... and that ain't right
Heard some talk about papa doin' some store front 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,
(dadgummit) wherever he laid his hat was his home

And when he died, all he left us was alone, ooh

Hey mama, I heard papa call 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 depending 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, alone, alone, alone, alone
Papa was a rollin' stone, (uh huh) wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone, I said

Papa was a rollin' stone,
(yes he was now) wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone.

(c) Copyright 1972 by Stone Diamond Music Corp.

- HIT PARADER, April 1973.