Rolling Stone
Legacy of a Wandering Heart
Lyrics
It was the third of September
Setting the scene on the third of September, a significant day.
That day I'll always remember, yes I will
Emphasizing the memorable nature of the day.
'Cause that was the day that my daddy died
Revealing that the narrator's father passed away on that day.
I never got a chance to see him
Expressing regret for not having the opportunity to meet the father.
Never heard nothin' but bad things about him
Indicating negative information about the father from others.
Momma I'm depending on you to tell me the truth
Seeking the truth from the mother about the father.
Momma just hung her head and said, son
Mother's response is anticipated.
Papa was a rolling stone
Introducing the father as a "rolling stone," suggesting a transient and unsettled lifestyle.
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
Describing the father's nomadic lifestyle with no permanent home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone
Expressing the loneliness left behind by the father's death.
Papa was a rolling stone (my son, yeah)
Reiterating that the father was a rolling stone, emphasizing his wandering nature.
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
Highlighting the lack of a fixed residence for the father.
And when he died, all he left us was alone
Repeating the theme of isolation resulting from the father's passing.
Hey Momma! Is it true what they say that Papa never worked a day in his life
Questioning the truth about the father's work ethic.
And Momma, some bad talk goin' round town sayin' that
Addressing rumors about the father having outside children and another wife.
Papa had three outside children
Confirming the existence of outside children and expressing disapproval.
And another wife, and that ain't right
Denouncing the father's actions as morally wrong.
Heard some talk Papa doing some storefront preachin'
Referring to rumors about the father engaging in questionable activities.
Talking about saving souls and all the time leechin'
Accusing the father of hypocrisy, claiming he preaches while engaging in immoral behavior.
Dealing in dirt, and stealing in the name of the Lord
Describing the father's involvement in dishonest activities in the name of religion.
Momma just hung her head and said
Mother's response to the accusations.
Papa was a rolling stone (my son)
Reiterating the father's transient nature and its impact on the family.
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
Highlighting the father's lack of a permanent home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone
Expressing the emotional aftermath of the father's death.
Hey Papa was a rolling stone (dad gumma it)
Repeating the theme of the father as a rolling stone.
Where ever he laid his hat was his home
Emphasizing the transient nature of the father's existence.
And when he died, all he left us was alone
Reiterating the emotional impact of the father's passing.
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