The Temptations

Papa Was A Rollin' Stone

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Papa Was A Rollin' Stone Lyrics

	


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
Mama, I'm depending on you to tell me the truth
Mama just hung her head and said, "Son,..."

CHORUS:
(twice):
"Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when his died,
All he left us was alone"

Hey, Mama, is it true what they say
That Papa never worked a day in his life?
And Mama, there's been talk all around town
Sayin' that Papa had three outside children and another wife
And that ain't right!
Heard some talk about Papa doin' some storefront preachin'
Talked about savin' souls and all the time leachin'
Dealin' in drugs and stealin' in the name of the Lord
Mama just hung her head and said, "Son,..."

(chorus)

Hey, Mama, 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 or steal to pay his bills
Hey, Mama, folks say Papa was never much on thinkin'
Spent most of his time chasin' women and drinkin'
Mama, I'm depending on you to tell me the truth
Mama looked up with a tear and said, "Son,..."

(chorus)

	

Lyrics © Sony/atv Music Publishing Llc

Writer

Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield

Duration

6:59

Producer

Norman Whitfield

Release date

May 28, 1972

Sentiment

Positive

Submitted by

x_nikole_x On Dec 16, 2001

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Cover art for Papa Was A Rollin' Stone lyrics by Temptations, The

by Riverman94610

20y ago

I was teaching in a very rough New Orleans high school when "Papa"came out and for most of the kids this song resonated very painfully.Pops was rarely around even back then.Its much worse now and I really don't think this song would get airplay today if it was released as a new song.Its way too devastating to the black psyche.

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by davidcje 4y ago

@Riverman94610 Absent fathers is what plagues many if not most black communities. The ramifications are what we see today. Not sure what precipitated the matter. Though they might have suffered discrimination/persecution at the time, two parent black families were far more prevalent prior to the 60's.

by mrxb72

9y ago

The irony was that the Tempts initially hated the song. Dennis Edwards in particular, because he had to sing his line over 30 times. His anger is apparent. He's said that he was so upset, that he was trying not to explode, so he was showing restraint. They later found out that, this was Whitfield's intention. He wanted it to sound like an angry son that demands to know the truth, but has to show restraint, out of respect to his mother. The chorus of the song is the mother's response to each question. Which further angers the son. Norman Whitfield's true masterpiece.

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by Lezn

6y ago

One of the longest instrumental intros to any song but what an amazing song this is. Dennis Edwards vocal lead is superb. The story of a man who didn't know his Father, but doesn't like what he has heard about him.

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

He wants his Mama to tell him the truth.

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