Papa Was A Rolling Stone
George Michael and Queen Lyrics

It was the third of september
George Michael remembers a very specific date, September 3rd.

That day I'll always remember, yes I will
The memory of September 3rd is deeply ingrained in George Michael's mind.

'Cause that was the day that my daddy died
September 3rd was the day when George Michael's father passed away.

Never had a chance to see him, no
George Michael never had the opportunity to meet his father.

Never heard nothing but bad things about him
George Michael only knows negative things about his father.

Mama, I'm depending on you to tell me the truth
George Michael trusts his mother to give him an honest account of his father.

Mama just hung her head and said
George Michael's mother is reluctant to talk about his father.

"papa was a rollin' stone
George Michael's father was a wanderer who never stayed in one place.

Wherever he laid his hat was his home
George Michael's father was comfortable living wherever he ended up.

And when he died
George Michael's father has passed on.

All he left us was alone"
George Michael's father did not leave anything behind, neither materially nor emotionally.

Hey, mama, is it true what they say
George Michael has heard rumors about his father and wants to know if they are true.

That papa never worked a day in his life
There are rumors that George Michael's father was unemployed throughout his life.

Some bad talk going around sayin'
There are negative rumors about George Michael's father circulating in the community.

Papa had three outside children
There are rumors that George Michael's father had children with women outside of his marriage.

And another wife
There are rumors that George Michael's father had another wife.

That ain't right
George Michael does not believe the rumors about his father are accurate or fair.

Heard some talk about papa and his storefront
George Michael has heard rumors that his father owned a storefront.

Preachin'
The storefront was used for preaching.

Talkin' about saving souls and all the time
George Michael's father discussed religious salvation a lot while using his storefront.

Leachin'
There are rumors that George Michael's father also took advantage of others while conducting religious business.

And dealing in dirt
George Michael's father was involved in fraudulent or illegal activities in the name of religion.

Stealin' in the name of the Lord
George Michael's father was stealing from others while claiming to do God's work.

But mama she just said
Despite the rumors, George Michael's mother defers from speaking ill of her husband.

Say I heard my papa was a jack of all trades
George Michael has heard that his father tried his hand at many different professions.

Is that what papa sent to an early grave?
George Michael wonders if his father's restlessness contributed to an untimely death.

Folks say papa would beg, borrow or steal just
There are rumors that George Michael's father would do anything necessary to pay his bills.

To pay his bills
George Michael's father struggled financially.

Hey, mama, folks say papa was never much in thinkin'
George Michael has heard that his father was not very intelligent.

Spent most of his time chasin' women and drinkin'
George Michael has heard that his father was primarily preoccupied with women and alcohol.

But mother, I'm depending on you
Despite the rumors, George Michael still wants his mother's opinion of his father.

To tell me the truth
George Michael wants the unadulterated truth from his mother regarding his father.

chorus (2x)
Repetition of the chorus, which describes George Michael's father's nomadic lifestyle and poor financial situation.