Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
4 The Cause Lyrics

It was the third of September; that day I'll always remember, 'Cause that was the day that my daddy died.
I always remember the third of September because that's the day my father died, and I will never forget it.

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.
I never had the opportunity to meet him, and all I've heard are negative things about him. I'm relying on you, Mother, to enlighten me with the truth.

Mama just looked at him and said, "Son, Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone."
Mother just replied, telling him that his father was an unsettled person who never settled in one place. After he passed away, nothing was left for them.

Hey, Mama, is it true what the say, that Papa never worked a day in his life? And Mama, they talk all around town say that Papa had three outside children and another wife And that ain't right.
Mother, they say my father never worked in his entire life. Additionally, they're also saying he had extramarital affairs, resulting in three children born out of wedlock and another wife, which is unacceptable.

Heard them talkin' about Papa doing some storefront preachin' Talkin' about saving your souls and all the time weak, dealin' in death And stealin' in the name of the Lord Mama just hung her head and said,
I overheard people speak about Father preaching in front of storefronts and claiming to save souls, while simultaneously participating in sinful activities like dealing drugs and stealing in the name of the Lord. Mother merely lowered her head.

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 or steal to pay his bills. Hey, Mama, folks say Papa was never much on thinkin'; Spend most of his time chasin' women and drinkin'! Mama, I'm depending on you to tell me the truth.
Mother, Father referred to himself as a jack of all trades. Is that the reason he died early? Some people claim that he resorted to begging, borrowing or stealing to cover his expenses. Others say that Father rarely thought about his actions and spent most of his life chasing women and drinking. Mama, it's up to you to tell me the truth.

Mama just hung her head and said, "Son, Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone."
Mother gave the same response, confirming that Father was untethered and never found a permanent place to live. She once again reaffirms that his death left them isolated and alone.

Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone.
This chorus is repeated, restating the theme of the song that Father was a rolling stone with no ties to any place. When he passed on, he left behind an empty void that left them feeling alone.

Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone.
Likewise, the chorus is repeated, emphasizing the point that Father was without roots and left them alone after he passed.

Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone.
Again, the chorus is repeated, emphasizing the same message that Father was unsettled and left them alone when he passed.

Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone.
Finally, the chorus is repeated for the last time, communing the message that Father lacked a sense of direction thereby leaving a significant void in their lives.