Creekbank Stories Curt Iles, Storyteller
Wednesday, 3 September 2025 1411 CDT
(My grandson is in the Navy, so I now have to use military time.)
Today is an Important Day.
I’ve mark it as a holiday on my I-Calendar.
What is today’s significance?
It’s hidden in the opening lines of the Temptations’ classic, “Poppa Was A Rolling Stone.”
Scroll down and I’ll tell you.
Better yet, I’ll show you.
There’s a long instrumental opening.
Don’t give up.
Enjoy that iconic bass.
I bet you’re ahead of me now!
Scroll down to view the full lyrics.
(I might be wrong, but that looks like “Soul Train” circa 1970.)
“It was the third of September
That day I’ll always remember.”
It’s not an official holiday, but maybe it should be.
We’re working on it.
Help me fill in the lyrics one line at a time. What’s your personal favorite line?
“Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone”
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
Mama, I’m depending on you
To tell me the truth
Mama just hung her head and said, “Son,..[Chorus:]
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, my son.
Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone.”
Hey, mama!
Is it true what they say that papa never worked a day in his life?
And, mama, 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
Mama just hung her head and said,
[Chorus]
“Papa was a rolling stone, my son.
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.”
Hey, mama,
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, mama,
Folks say papa never was much on thinking
Spent most of his time chasing women and drinking
Mama, I’m depending on you
To tell me the truth
Mama looked up with a tear in her eye and said, “Son,..
[Chorus]
Papa was a rolling stone (well, well…)
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.”
[Chorus]
I said, “Papa was a rolling stone (yes, he was, my son)
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone
My daddy was (papa was a rolling stone), yes, he was
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
And when he died, all he left us was alone.”
“Where I Come From“ has become a favorite among our faithful readers. You can purchase copies in Paper, Hardback, and Kindle eBook at Amazon.com/Curt Iles Books.
Purchase your copy of The Three Trees at Amazon.com/Curt Iles/Books
The Mission of Creekbank Stories is to share moving stories that encourage and inspire.
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There’s always more at the Creek. www.creekbank.net
The Mission of Creekbank Stories is to share moving stories that encourage and inspire.
