The Temptations: “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”

This was written by the Motown songwriters Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield, and produced by Whitfield. It was first recorded by The Undisputed Truth, but Whitfield also had The Temptations record it, with much greater success.

A story that is often circulated and is recounted in the 2001 miniseries The Temptations deals with the lines of this song: “It was the 3rd of September, that day I’ll always remember, ’cause that was the day that my daddy died.”

The story goes that lead singer Dennis Edwards hated the song and was incensed when he heard this line, since his father died on that date and he thought Norman Whitfield put that in to goad him. This tale made for good drama, but was considerably overblown. Edwards’ father actually died on October third, and he was anything but a rolling stone. The elder Edwards was a minister, and gave his son a good upbringing. Whitfield chose the date simply because it fit well in the song; he had no idea when Edwards’ father had died.

(Source songfacts.com)

It was the third of September; that day I’ll always remember,

‘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 looked at him and said, “Son,

Papa was a rollin’ stone.

Wherever he laid his head was his home.

And when he died, all he left us was alone.”

Papa was a rollin’ stone.

Wherever he laid his head was his home.

And when he died, all he left us was alone.”

Hey, Mama, is it true what the say, that Papa never worked a day in his life?

And Mama, they talk all around town say that

Papa had three outside children and another wife

And that ain’t right.

Heard them talkin’ about Papa doing some storefront preachin’

Talkin’ about saving your souls and all the time weak, dealin’ in death

And stealin’ in the name of the Lord

Mama just hung her head and said,

Papa was a rollin’ stone.

Wherever he laid his head was his home.

And when he died, all he left us was alone.”

Papa was a rollin’ stone.

Wherever he laid his head was his home.

And when he died, all he left us was alone.”

Hey, Mama, 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 was never much on thinkin’;

Spend most of his time chasin’ women and drinkin’!

Mama, I’m depending on you to tell me the truth.

Mama just hung her head and said, “Son,

Papa was a rollin’ stone.

Wherever he laid his head was his home.

And when he died, all he left us was alone.”

Papa was a rollin’ stone.

Wherever he laid his head was his home.

And when he died, all he left us was alone.”

Papa was a rollin’ stone.

Wherever he laid his head was his home.

And when he died, all he left us was alone.”

Papa was a rollin’ stone.

Wherever he laid his head was his home.

And when he died, all he left us was alone