Papa Was a Rolling Stone
The Temptations 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 Temptations' hit song "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is a poignant tale about a wayward father who left a trail of broken hearts and shattered dreams in his wake. The opening lines set the tone for the entire song, with the singer reminiscing about the third of September, the day his father passed away, and the bitter truth of never knowing or understanding who his father really was. The singer turns to his mother, hoping to gain some answers, but all she can say is that his father was a "rollin' stone," a man who had no fixed abode and left his family to fend for themselves.


The chorus of the song repeats the same haunting refrain that "papa was a rollin' stone, wherever he laid his head was his home, and when he died, all he left us was alone." The song suggests that Papa had a troubled past, and the rumors about him were whispered throughout the town. The verse about the "storefront preachin'" reveals a side of Papa that was perhaps well-intentioned, but misguided, as he tries to save souls while dealing in death and stealing in the name of the Lord. The final verse about being a jack of all trades and the struggles to pay his bills further solidify the image of a father who wasn't quite successful in life, leaving his children to bear the brunt of his mistakes.


Overall, "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is a thoughtful and melancholic portrayal of a father who was lost to his family long before he physically left them. It captures the pain and uncertainty that comes with losing someone you never truly knew.


Line by Line Meaning

It was the third of September, that day I'll always remember
The day my dad died is etched in my mind forever and always.


'Cause that was the day that my daddy died
My father passed away that day.


I never got a chance to see him, never heard nothin' but bad things about him
I never met him but have only heard negative things about him.


Mama I'm depending on you to tell me the truth
I'm relying on my mother to give me honest information.


Mama just looked at him and said, "Son
My mother glanced at me and responded,


Papa was a rollin' stone
My father was a wanderer who didn't stay in one place for long.


Wherever he laid his head was his home
He didn't have a permanent residence and would sleep anywhere.


And when he died, all he left us was alone"
When he passed, he left us with no emotional support.


Hey, Mama, is it true what the say, that Papa never worked a day in his life?
Mom, there's a rumor that Dad was jobless his entire life, is it true?


And Mama, they talk all around town say that
Mom, people are gossiping about


Papa had three outside children and another wife
how Dad had illegitimate children and was unfaithful to you.


And that ain't right
It's not fair to you.


Heard them talkin' about Papa doing some storefront preachin'
I overheard people discussing how Dad would preach in the streets.


Talkin' about saving your souls and all the time weak, dealin' in death
They said he talked about saving people's souls but ultimately acted against his own message by leading a sinful life.


And stealin' in the name of the Lord
Additionally, they accused him of stealing in the name of religion.


Mama just hung her head and said
My mother simply looked down and replied,


Hey, Mama, I heard Papa call himself a jack of all trades
Mom, I remember Dad referring to himself as a handyman.


Tell me, is that what sent Papa to an early grave?
Do you think that lifestyle contributed to Dad's early death?


Folks say Papa would beg, borrow or steal to pay his bills
People believe Dad would do anything to make ends meet, even if it were unethical.


Hey, Mama, folks say Papa was never much on thinkin'
Mom, people are saying that Dad wasn't exactly a deep thinker.


Spend most of his time chasin' women and drinkin'!
He reportedly spent most of his time pursuing women and drinking.


Mama just hung her head and said, "son
My mother lowered her head and told me,


Papa was a rollin' stone
My father was always on the move and never settled in one place.


Wherever he laid his head was his home
He didn't have a permanent home, but wherever he slept felt like home to him.


And when he died, all he left us was alone"
When he passed, he left us emotionally isolated and disconnected.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@drwdo

My grandfather is/was one of the violins in the intro. He’s on several Motown tracks and played 46 years in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He died in May, and when we miss him we listen to music. ❤️ 😭

@msl5253

Hey Drwdbo
Beautiful story and sorry for your loss with your grand father.

@elenaarman-tang7811

R.I.P. to your very talented grandfather 🙏😘❤

@alfredszabo1817

God bless him 🙏 ❤️

@alfredszabo1817

My grandpa had to play on Russian guitar 🎸, he had no choice on his faith!

@naumnaumoski3816

God bless him

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@walter9724

The intro itself could be used in any 1970s movie car chase scene. I'm 46 and I was raised on this music. And I'm a white Australian

@hendrikdebruin4012

I am a white African and I agree mate.

@potterj09

41 here. My dad knew a lot about film and The Blues Brothers was always a cool film we shared. I play guitar now because of it.

@user-qg5xo6wu1e

That baseline. The horns. The strings. Back when every section had to be recorded separately. This is amazing.

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