Papa Was A Rolling Stone
The Temptations Review Lyrics

It was the third of September, that day I'll always remember
The songwriter recalls the day of his father's death.

'Cause that was the day that my daddy died
The songwriter confirms that the day he remembers is the day his father passed away.

I never got a chance to see him, never heard nothin' but bad things about him
The songwriter did not have a relationship with his father and only knows negative things about him.

Mama I'm depending on you to tell me the truth
The songwriter turns to his mother for an honest account of his father's life.

Papa was a rollin' stone
The songwriter's father was a wanderer, never staying in one place for long.

Wherever he laid his head was his home
His father found a home wherever he ended up, even if it was only temporary.

And when he died, all he left us was alone
The only thing the songwriter's father left behind was grief and a sense of abandonment.

Hey, Mama, is it true what the say, that Papa never worked a day in his life?
The songwriter asks his mother if the rumors are true that his father never held a job.

And Mama, they talk all around town say that Papa had three outside children and another wife
The songwriter has heard gossip that his father had other children and relationships outside of his marriage with his mother.

And that ain't right
The songwriter expresses disapproval of his father's infidelity and betrayal of his family.

Heard them talkin' about Papa doing some storefront preachin'
The songwriter has heard stories of his father preaching in public places, possibly without proper credentials or qualifications.

Talkin' about saving your souls and all the time weak, dealin' in death
The songwriter questions the sincerity of his father's preaching and suggests that he was involved in dangerous or harmful activities.

And stealin' in the name of the Lord
The songwriter accuses his father of using religion as a cover for immoral or criminal behavior.

Mama just hung her head and said
The songwriter's mother is unable to refute the accusations against his father.

Hey, Mama, I heard Papa call himself a jack of all trades
The songwriter remembers his father boasting about his abilities in a variety of areas.

Tell me, is that what sent Papa to an early grave?
The songwriter wonders if his father's lack of focus and stability contributed to his death.

Folks say Papa would beg, borrow or steal to pay his bills
The songwriter has heard that his father engaged in desperate and possibly illegal activities to make ends meet.

Hey, Mama, folks say Papa was never much on thinkin'
The songwriter has heard that his father was not known for being intelligent or thoughtful.

Spend most of his time chasin' women and drinkin'!
The songwriter confirms that his father prioritized drinking and women over his family and responsibilities.

Mama, I'm depending on you to tell me the truth
The songwriter reiterates his trust in his mother to give him an honest account of his father's life.