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 aday 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 papa sent 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)