It was the third of September
That day I'll always remember, yes I will
'Cause that was the day that my daddy died

Never had 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 hung her head and said

''Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died
All he left us was alone"
"Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died
All he left us was alone"

Hey, mama, is it true what they say
That papa never worked a day in his life
Some bad talk going around sayin'
Papa had there outside children
And another wife

Heard some talk about Papa and his storefront
Preachin'
Talkin' about saving souls and all the time
Leaching
Dealing in dirt
Stealin' in the name of the Lord
Mama hung her head and said

Refrein:
"Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died
All he left us was alone"
"Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died
All he left us was alone"

Come on, tell me
Hey mama, I heard my papa calling himself 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
Folks said papa never wans much on thinkin'
Spent most of his time chansin' women and drinkin'
Mama, I'm depending on you to tell me the truth

Refrein (2x)