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