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 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 looked up and said son

Papa was a rolling stone

Wherever he laid his hat was his home

And when he died all he left us was alone



Mama is it true what they say

That papa never worked a day in his life?

And mama there's some bad talk goin' round town

That papa had three out-side children

And another wife, and that ain't right

Heard some talk about papa

Doin' some store-front prechin'

Talking about saving souls and all the time leaching

Dealin' in dirt and stealing in the name of the Lord

Mama looked up and said son

Papa was a rolling stone

Wherever he laid his hat was his home

And when he died all he left us was alone



I heard papa call 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 wasn't much on thinkin'

Spent most of his time chasing women and drinkin'

Mama I'm depending on you to tell me the truth

Papa was a rolling stone

Wherever he laid his hat was his home

And when he died all he left us was alone