One Chord Song or the Am Em version - Papa was a Rolling Stone by the Temptations

Papa was a Rollin' Stone

Norman Whitfield Barrett Strong

It can be played in any Key that suits your voice but I would use a minor Key and not a major for transposing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaZ8uGo5dt8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm9AEvOOto8

 
Song : Bb


Bbm

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 got a chance to see him

Never heard nothin' but bad things about him

Momma I'm depending on you, to tell me the truth

Momma just hung her head and said, son



Chorus 2x:

Bbm

Papa was a rolling stone, (my son)

Wherever he laid his hat was his home

And when he died, all he left us was a loan



Bbm

Hey Momma!

Is it true what they say that Papa never worked a day, in his life

And Momma, some bad talk goin' round town 

sayin' that Papa had three outside children

And another wife, and that ain't right

Heard them talking Papa doing some store front preachin'

Talked about saving souls and all the time leechin'

Dealing in debt, and stealing in the name of the Lord

Momma just hung her head and said...



Chorus 2x

Bbm

Hey Momma,

I heard Papa called himself a jack of all trades

Tell me is that what sent Papa to an early grave

Folks say Papa would beg, borrow, steal

To pay his bills

Hey Momma,

Folks say Papa never was much on thinking

Spent most of his time chasing women and drinking

Momma I'm depending on you, to tell me the truth

Momma looked up with a tear in her eye and said, son...



Chorus 4x

from 'All Directions' (1972)*


Verse 1:

Em                                                      Am
 It was the third of September; that day I'll always re-member,
                                     Em 
'Cos that was the day, that my daddy died.

Em 
 I never got a chance to see him;
                        Am 
Never heard nothin' but bad things about him.
                                           Em 
Mama, I'm depending on you, to tell me the truth.

Chorus 1:

(Spoken):
 Mama just hung her head and said; "son...

Em                                              Am 
 Papa was a rollin' stone; wherever he laid his hat, was his home.
    Em             Am                   Em 
And when his died, all he left us was a-lone".

Verse 2:

             Em 
Hey, Mama, I heard Papa call himself a jack of all trades;
                                      Am 
Tell me, is that what sent Papa to an early grave?
                                            Em 
Folks say Papa would beg borrow or steal to pay his bills.
Hey, Mama, folks say Papa was never much on thinkin';
                               Am 
Spend most of his time chasin' women and drinkin'!
                                           Em 
Mama, I'm depending on you, to tell me the truth.

Chorus 

(Repeat to Fade)