Papa Was A Rolling Stone - Was (Not Was)

作词：Norman Whitfield/Barrett Strong

作曲：Norman Whitfield/Barrett Strong

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 nothing 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

Papa was a rolling stone

Wherever he laid his hat was his home

And when he died all he left us was alone

Where the hell are you daddy that's what I'm saying

Down on my knees and tears and I'm praying

Wishing and hoping my dreams could come true

So I could feel like the other kids do

A young child but not complete as a whole

Before I was born you up and strolled

Mama was there but you was up in the wind

You never even knew my name and then

You never wrote called let alone came by

As a youth it was hard to wonder why

But now I'm older and I don't dwell on self pity

Thinking about the life you didn't give me

I remember when I used to tell lies

When people would ask I'd just fantasize

Thinking of stories to make you look good

But the real truth was you was never no good

People would say I looked just like you

But rest assured I don't act like you

I'm more than that my mama raised me better

And you can best believe I'm much more together

So belive that

Mama is it true what they say

That papa never worked a day in his life

And mama there's some bad talk going round town

That papa had three out-side children

And another wife and that ain't right

Heard some talk about papa

Papa doing some store-front preching

Talking about saving souls and all the time leaching

Dealing 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

Papa was a rolling stone

Wherever he laid his hat was his home

And when he died all he left us was alone

It's been said you gave me something you never had

But that's not always true and it's sad

To find myself missing you when I did

But who knows the reasons why you did what you did

I can't help but wonder why

You lived your life as a big fat lie

You act like you had no responsibilities

'Cause if you did it's a bet that you wouldn't be

Stealing begging hustling and scheming

You could'a got a job

But did you know the meaning of work

I'm talking about an honest day's pay

But you was too lazy to be that way

Always trying to take the easy route

That's what they tell me so I don't doubt

It for a moment not for a sec

Because you lacked all your self respect

But it's too late for you that is

Tomorrow I'll be going on about my biz

And so it's time to put the past behind

Erase the anger and clear my mind

I want to forget the little bit I know

And make sure that I never sink so low

'Cause I want my kids to grow up and know

That I was always there because I loved them so

And that's the least thing that I can do

But that's a lot more than I got from you

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 thinking

Spent most of his time chasing women and drinking

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

Papa was a rolling stone

Wherever he laid his hat was his home

And when he died all he left us was alone

Papa was a rolling stone

Wherever he laid his hat was his home

And when he died all he left us was alone