Papa Was A Rollin' Stone

by The Temptations
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Lyrics

It was the third of Sep tem nev er got a chance to see him.

day I’ll al ways re Nev er heard in’ but bad things a bout him.

that was the day ing on you that my dad dy died.

I nev er got a chance to see him.

day I’ll al ways re Nev er heard in’ but bad things a bout him.

Ma ma, I’m de ing on you to tell me the truth.

I

Pa pa was a roll in’ stone.”

Wher ev er he laid his hat was his home.

And when he died, all he left us was a lone.

Pa pa was a roll in’ stone.”

Wher ev er he laid his hat was his home.

And when he died, all he left us was a lone.

Hey Ma ma, is it true what they say, that Pa pa nev er worked a day in his life?

And Ma ma,

bad talk goin’ a round town say that Pa pa had three out side chil dren and an oth er wife.

And that ain’t right.

Heard some talk a bout Pa pa do in’ some store front preach in’.

Talk in’ ’bout sav in’ souls and all the time preach ing,

heal ing and then steal ing in the name of the Lord.

I heard Pa pa call him self a Jack of all in’.

trades.

Tell me, is that what sent Pa pa to an ear ly grave?

Folks say Pa pa would pend ing on you beg, bor row, steal to tell me the pay his bills.

Hey, Ma ma,

folks say Pa pa nev er was much on of think in’.

trades.

Tell Spent most of his time chas in’ wom en and drink in’.

Ma ma, Pa I’m de pend ing on you beg, bor row, steal to tell me the truth.

his bills.

Hey, Ma ma,

“Pa pa was a roll in’ stone.”

Wher ev er he laid his hat was his home.

And when he died, all he left us was a lone.

“Pa pa was a roll in’ stone.”

Wher ev er he laid his hat was his home.

And when he died, all he left us was a lone.

Papa Was A Rollin' Stone by The Temptations

2 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of A at 120 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Papa Was A Rollin' Stone

What key is "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" in?
"Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" by The Temptations is in the key of A with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" easy to play on piano?
This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" without reading sheet music?
Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone"?
This arrangement of "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" uses 1 chord: Am7. Only a handful of chords — a great pick for early learners.
How long does it take to learn "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" on piano?
2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by The Temptations can I play here?
Try "I'M LOSING YOU", "BALL OF CONFUSION", "AIN'T TOO PROUD TO BEG". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

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