PAPA
Lisa Fischer & Chris Botti Lyrics

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It was the third of September; that day I'll always remember,
'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 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."

Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."

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.
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,

Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."

Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."

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.

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."

Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."

Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."

Papa was a rollin' stone.

Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."

Overall Meaning

The song "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" by Lisa Fischer tells the story of a young man who seeks to learn the truth about his father, who died on September 3rd. He never had the chance to meet his father and only heard bad things about him. The young man turns to his mother, hoping to learn the truth about his father. But when he asks his mother about his father, she tells him that his father was someone who moved around frequently and never had a real home. His father, as his mother tells him, was a "rolling stone." When his father died, all he left behind was a legacy of loneliness.

The young man continues to ask his mother about his father's life. He asks if it's true that his father never worked a day in his life, and if it's true that he had another wife and children while he was still married to the young man's mother. His mother confirms these rumors, and even tells him that his father spent most of his time chasing women and drinking. But even though his father was far from perfect, the young man still knows that he needs to know the truth about his father, even if it's not a pretty truth.

Line by Line Meaning

It was the third of September; that day I'll always remember, 'Cause that was the day that my daddy died.
The singer reminisces about the significant day when her father passed away.

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.
The singer laments not having a relationship with her father and seeks the truth about him from her mother.

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.'
The mother reveals that the father was a drifter who spent his life moving from place to place and never stuck around to care for his family.

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.
The singer questions the rumors that her father was an unfaithful, irresponsible man who did not provide for his family.

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,
The singer reflects on rumors about her father's shady dealings, including using religion to manipulate people and possibly engaging in criminal behavior.

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.
The singer further questions her father's character and lifestyle, wondering if his poor decision making led to his death, and seeks her mother's honest opinion.

Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone.
The chorus repeats the mother's sentiment that the father was a nomadic figure who left his family behind when he passed.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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