Dear Mama

You are appreciated

When I was young, me and my mama had beef
Seventeen years old, kicked out on the streets
Though back at the time I never thought I'd see her face
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place
Suspended from school and scared to go home
I was a fool, with the big boys breaking all the rules
I shed tears with my baby sister, over the years
We was poorer than the other little kids

And even though we had different daddies, the same drama
When things went wrong, we'd blame mama
I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell
Hugging on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary
Hey, I'd see the penitentiary one day?
And running from the police, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whooping to my backside

And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama
I finally understand: For a woman it ain't easy
Trying to raise a man
You always was committed
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how you did it

There's no way I can pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated

(Lady, don't you know we love ya?) Dear mama
(Sweet lady, place no one above ya) you are appreciated
(Sweet lady, don't you know we love ya?)

Now, ain't nobody tell us it was fair
No love from my daddy 'cause the coward wasn't there
He passed away and I didn't cry
'Cause my anger wouldn't let me feel for a stranger
They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless
But all along I was looking for a father, he was gone
I hung around with the thugs and even though they sold drugs
They showed a young brother love

I moved out and started really hanging
I needed money of my own, so I started slanging
I ain't guilty 'cause even though I sell rocks
It feels good putting money in your mailbox
I love paying rent when the rent is due
I hope you got the diamond necklace that I sent to ya
'Cause when I was low, you was there for me
You never left me alone because you cared for me

And I could see you coming home after work late
You're in the kitchen trying to fix us a hotplate
You just working with the scraps you was given
And mama made miracles every Thanksgiving
But now the road got rough, you're alone
You're trying to raise two bad kids on your own

And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated

(Lady, don't you know we love ya?) And dear mama
(Sweet lady, place no one above ya) you are appreciated
(Sweet lady, don't you know we love ya?)

Pour out some liquor and I reminisce
'Cause through the drama, I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me

And even though I act crazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
And I appreciate how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me
I wish I could take the pain away
If you can make it through the night, there's a brighter day
Everything will be alright if you hold on
It's a struggle every day, gotta roll on

And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated

(Lady, don't you know we love ya?) Dear mama
(Sweet lady, place no one above ya) you are appreciated
(Sweet lady, don't you know we love ya?) And dear mama
(Sweet lady) dear mama

(Lady)
(Lady)
(Lady)