(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.
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