Papa Was A Rollin' Stone & Killer
George Michael and Queen Lyrics

It was the third of september
The date of September 3rd is significant to me and will always be remembered.

That day I'll always remember, yes I will
September 3rd was a memorable day for me.

'Cause that was the day that my daddy died
My dad passed away on September 3rd.

Never had a chance to see him, no
I never got the chance to meet my father.

Never heard nothing but bad things about him
I have only heard negative things about my father from others.

Mama, I'm depending on you to tell me the truth
I rely on my mother to tell me the truth about my father.

Mama just hung her head and said
My mother responded by hanging her head.

"papa was a rollin' stone
My father was a nomad who never stayed in one place for long.

Wherever he laid his hat was his home
He made home wherever he was at the moment.

And when he died
When he passed away

All he left us was alone"
My father's legacy was one of abandonment.

Hey, mama, is it true what they say
Is it true what others say about my father?

That papa never worked aday in his life
Did my father never have a job?

Some bad talk going around sayin'
There are rumors being spread about my father.

Papa had three outside children
My father had three children with other women.

And another wife
He was married to another woman.

That ain't right
This is not morally acceptable.

Heard some talk about papa and his storefront
I've heard something about my father and his store.

Preachin'
He was preaching.

Talkin' about saving souls and all the time
He talked about salvation all the time.

Leachin'
But he was taking advantage of people.

And dealing in dirt
He was involved in shady business.

Stealin' in the name of the Lord
He was stealing while pretending to be holy.

But mama she just said
My mother's response was...

"papa was a rollin' stone
My father was still a wandering man.

"Say I heard my papa was a jack of all trades
I heard that my father had many skills.

Is that what papa sent to an early grave?
Did his diverse skills have something to do with his death?

Folks say papa would beg, borrow or steal just
People allege that my father would do anything to make ends meet.

To pay his bills
To cover his expenses.

Hey, mama, folks say papa was never much in thinkin'
People say my father wasn't very intelligent.

Spent most of his time chasin' women and drinkin'
My father spent a lot of time going after women and drinking alcohol.

But mother, I'm depending on you
I'm relying on you, mother.

To tell me the truth
To tell me what really happened.

But my mama she just said
However, my mother only said...

"papa was a rollin' stone
My father was still a nomad who never settled down.

"All he left us was alone"
All we were left with from him was abandonment.

[chorus (2x)]
The chorus repeats twice throughout the song.