Dear Mama

You are appreciated

When I was young, me and my mama had beef
17 Years old, kicked out in the streets
Though back at the time I never thought I'd see her face
Ain't a woman alive that can take my mama's place
Suspended from school, 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 blamed mama
I reminisce on the stress I cause, it was hell
Hugging on my mama from a jail cell

And who would think in elementary, hey
I'd see the penitentiary one day

Running from the police, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whipping 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 could pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated

Lady, don't you know we love you?
Sweet lady, place no one above you
Sweet lady, don't you know we love you?

Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair
No love for 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's due
I hope you got the diamond necklace that I sent to you

'Cause when I was low you was there for me
And never left me alone 'cause you cared for me
And I could see you coming home after work late
You're in the kitchen trying to fix us a hot plate

Just working with the scraps you was given
And mama made miracles every Thanksgiving
But now the road got rough, you're alone
Trying to raise two bad kids on your own
And there's no way I could pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated

Lady, don't you know we love you?
Sweet lady, place no one above you
Sweet lady, don't you know we love you?

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 could 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 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 could pay you back

But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated

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