Papa Was A Rollin' Stone

by The Temptations

From the album: Anthology: The Temptations [1964-73]

Track 37 of 37 on Anthology: The Temptations [1964-73] (1973).

Duration: 6:58

Anthology: The Temptations [1964-73] cover art

Lyrics for Papa Was A Rollin' Stone

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" And Momma just hung her head and said... "Son, 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 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 Well, well" "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 them talking Papa doing some store front preachin' Talked about saving souls and all the time leeching Dealing in debt, 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, (my son) Wherever he laid his hat was his home (And when he died) All he left us was alone Uh" "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 that 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" And Momma looked up with a tear in her eye and said... "Son, Papa was a rolling stone (my son) (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 (my son) 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 (my son) Wherever he laid his hat was his home (And when he died) All he left us was alone"

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More from Anthology: The Temptations [1964-73]

  1. The Way You Do The Things You Do
  2. I'll Be In Trouble
  3. The Girl's Alright With Me
  4. Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)
  5. My Girl
  6. It's Growing
  7. Since I Lost My Baby
  8. My Baby
  9. Don't Look Back
  10. Get Ready
  11. Ain't Too Proud To Beg
  12. Beauty Is Only Skin Deep
  13. (I Know) I'm Losing You
  14. All I Need
  15. You're My Everything
  16. (Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need
  17. I Wish It Would Rain
  18. I Truly, Truly Believe
  19. I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)
  20. Please Return Your Love To Me
  21. Cloud Nine
  22. Runaway Child, Running Wild
  23. Don't Let The Joneses Get You Down
  24. I Can't Get Next To You
  25. Psychedelic Shack
  26. Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)
  27. Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On
  28. I Ain't Got Nothin'
  29. Ol' Man River
  30. Try To Remember
  31. The Impossible Dream
  32. I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
  33. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)
  34. Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)
  35. Mother Nature
  36. Love Woke Me Up This Morning
  37. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone