Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
The Temptations Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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
Momma I'm depending on you to tell me the truth
Momma just hung her head and said, son
Papa was a rolling stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone
Papa was a rolling stone (my son, yeah)
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone

Hey Momma!
Is it true what they say that Papa never worked a day in his life
And Momma, some bad talk goin' round town sayin' that
Papa had three outside children
And another wife, and that ain't right
Heard some talk Papa doing some storefront preachin'
Talking about saving souls and all the time leechin'
Dealing in dirt, and stealing in the name of the Lord
Momma just hung her head and said

Papa was a rolling 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 rolling stone (dad gumma it)
Where ever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone

Hey Momma
I heard Papa called 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 Momma
Folks say Papa never was much on thinking
Spent most of his time chasing women and drinking
Momma I'm depending on you to tell me the truth
Momma looked up with a tear in her eye and said, son

Papa was a rolling stone (well, well, well, well)
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone (lone, lone, lone, alone)
Papa was a rolling stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone

(I said) Papa was a rolling stone (yes he was, my son)
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone
My daddy was




Papa was a rolling stone (yes he was, yeah)
Wherever he laid his hat was his home

Overall Meaning

The Temptations’ classic hit “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” tells the story of a young man’s search for understanding and closure after his father’s passing. The song is centered around a conversation between the man and his mother, where he inquires about the truth behind his father’s life. The third of September is a day that he will always remember, as it is the day that his father died. He never got to see him, and all he has heard are bad things about him. He turns to his mother, hoping to find some clarity, but all she can do is hang her head and admit that his father was a rolling stone. The term “rolling stone” means that someone is constantly moving, never staying in one place for too long. Papa’s hat was his only true home, and when he died, all he left his family was the knowledge that he could never stay in one place.


The conversation between the man and his mother reveals that Papa never worked a day in his life and was known for chasing women and drinking. He was a jack-of-all-trades, but it never led to any stability in his life. In fact, he had three outside children and another wife, which is why he left his immediate family alone when he died. Papa was a preacher, but he used his sermons to steal and deal in dirt. The song’s lyrics suggest that Papa’s life was marked by constant movement, a lack of responsibility, and a selfish streak. The man turns to his mother for answers, but all he can find is the truth that his father was a rolling stone.


Line by Line Meaning

It was the third of September
The date of September 3rd is important and memorable.


That day I'll always remember, yes I will
The day of September 3rd is still fresh in the singer's memory.


'Cause that was the day that my daddy died
The singer's father passed away on September 3rd.


I never got a chance to see him
The artist never had the opportunity to meet his father.


Never heard nothin' but bad things about him
The artist only knows negative things about his father.


Momma I'm depending on you to tell me the truth
The singer is asking his mother to be honest with him about his father.


Momma just hung her head and said, son
The mother is feeling sad and uncomfortable about the topic.


Papa was a rolling stone
The father was a man who traveled around, never staying in one place for too long.


Wherever he laid his hat was his home
The father was comfortable living anywhere he found himself.


And when he died, all he left us was alone
When the father passed away, he left his family with no comfort or support.


Is it true what they say that Papa never worked a day in his life
There are rumors that the father never had a job or worked for a living.


And Momma, some bad talk goin' round town sayin' that
There are negative rumors circulating about the father in the community.


Papa had three outside children
There are claims that the father had children with other women outside of his family.


And another wife, and that ain't right
The father had another wife outside of the singer's mother, which isn't acceptable.


Heard some talk Papa doing some storefront preachin'
There have been rumors about the father preaching on the street.


Talking about saving souls and all the time leechin'
However, he was accused of taking advantage of people while he was preaching.


Dealing in dirt, and stealing in the name of the Lord
The father was believed to be involved in shady dealings, even while claiming to serve God.


Hey Momma
The singer is addressing his mother again for more information.


I heard Papa called himself a jack-of-all-trades
The father claimed to be skilled in many areas.


Tell me is that what sent Papa to an early grave
The artist is wondering if the father's lack of focus contributed to his early death.


Folks say Papa would beg, borrow, steal
People are saying that the father would do anything to get money.


To pay his bills
This behavior was specifically related to covering his expenses.


Folks say Papa never was much on thinking
The father wasn't known for being thoughtful or considerate.


Spent most of his time chasing women and drinking
The father was more interested in partying and pursuing romantic relationships.


Momma looked up with a tear in her eye and said, son
The mother is emotional but willing to share more information.


Well, well, well, well
The song repeats the line 'well, well, well' for emphasis.


Wherever he laid his hat was his home
The father lived life on the road, never settling down in one place.


And when he died, all he left us was alone (lone, lone, lone, alone)
The father didn't leave behind any real support or companionship after his death.


My daddy was
The artist is acknowledging that the father was, in fact, his real dad.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@michaelbirke6050

No one ever comments on the tragedy of never having a father around. The lyrics of this song are so sad. The funkiness of the music can make one forget. It’s real life to many kids today.

@lindaeasley5606

Exactly. It may sound cool but the lyrics convey the sadness of a broken home with a no good father

@michaelmartin8397

Tru indeed

@tangieclark2121

🙏🙏🙏🙏

@dannypipewrench533

The beginning of this song sounds like the opening of every 70's police movie ever made.

@Dmvgold1995

I feel like I’m a stylish undercover cop strutting into a crack den in my bell bottoms, colorful suit, sunglasses and fro. Ready to pull out my ridiculously huge hand cannon and blow some sucka to smithereens. Then whoop someone’s ass with my karate skills when I run out of bullets 😂

@michaelshepard9824

When it played at the beginning of "The Nice Guys", it set the mood right.

@PANSOCSpike-in1pp

2024! Who's here with me??

@michaelmartin8397

🙋🏿‍♂️

@liztewliztew

🙋🏾‍♀️ Feb 2/24 🙋🏾‍♀️

More Comments

More Versions