Papa Was A Rolling Stone

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
 Where the hell are you daddy, that's what I'm sayin'
 Down on my knees and tears and I'm prayin'
 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 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
 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
 Stealin' beggin' hustlin' and schemin'
 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 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