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, no
Never heard nothing but bad things about him
Mama, I’m depending on you to tell me the truth
Mama just hung her head and said
Chorus
Papa was a rollin’ stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died
All he left us was alone
(repeat)
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 three outside children
And another wife
That ain’t right
Heard some talk about papa and his storefront preachin’
Talkin’ about saving souls and all the time leachin’
And dealing in dirt
Stealin’ in the name of the lord
But mama she just said
Chorus
Say I heard my papa was a jack of all trades
Is that what sent papa to an early grave?
Folks say papa would beg, borrow or steal just
To pay his bills
Hey, mama, folks say papa was never much in thinkin’
Spent most of his time chasin women and drinkin’
But mother, I’m depending on you
To tell me the truth
But my mama she just said
Chorus (2x)
(norman whitfield/barrett strong)
