Papa Was A Rollin' Stone Lyrics
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,..."
(twice):
"Papa was a rollin' stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when his died,
All he left us was alone"
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,..."
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,..."
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.
@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.
@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.
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.
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.
I love this song. I can listen to it all day and never get sick. It reminds me of my Dad, sad as it may seem.
this song is so freakin great> motown rocks my world.
Best of the Motown songs (which is extremely high praise)
Great song about a deadbeat father
Great song about a deadbeat father
tanner555, you got a good point there....all the members of The Rolling Stones must be loaded with money ;)
I love this song...my band is going to cover it.