☝️ Key Points
- The song tells the story of a father who leaves his family and was never a significant part of their lives. He becomes a symbol of a 'rolling stone' who takes no responsibility or commitment.
- The father has no fixed abode and does not take care of his family, as emphasized by the line 'Wherever he laid his hat was his home'.
- Throughout the song, negative aspects about the father are revealed, such as being a cheat, a good-for-nothing, and a womanizer.
- The mother confirms these negative rumors and mentions that the father was also an alcoholic.
- The feeling of disappointment and abandonment is intensified by the father's death, as expressed in the lyrics 'And when he died / All he left us was alone'.
Interpretation
"Papa Was a Rolling Stone" by
The Temptations is a song about a father who leaves his family and was never really part of their lives. The title of the song refers to the saying 'A rolling stone gathers no moss', which means that someone who is constantly on the move doesn't take on responsibilities or commitments.
The song begins with the memory of the singer's father's death day. The mother is asked to tell the truth about the father, of whom the singer has only heard negative things. In the line 'Papa was a rolling stone / Wherever he laid his hat was his home', the image of a man who is constantly on the move and has no fixed residence or family to take responsibility for is drawn.
Throughout the song, various rumors about the father are mentioned, including that he never worked, was a fraud, and had a double life with another family. The mother confirms these rumors and adds that the father was also a drinker and womanizer.
At the end of the song, the singer expresses his disappointment and the feeling of abandonment, which is intensified by the father's death. In the refrain 'And when he died / All he left us was alone', the loneliness and abandonment that the father left his family is expressed.
Overall, "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is a sad song about an absent father and the consequences his behavior had on his family.