[Intro] ~#**************#~ You are appreciated ~#**************#~ [Verse 1] ~#**************#~ 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 Id see her face ~#**************#~ Aint a woman alive that could take my mamas place ~#**************#~ Suspended from school, and scared to go home ~#**************#~ I was a fool, with the big boys breakin 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 wed blame Mama ~#**************#~ I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell ~#**************#~ Huggin on my mama from a jail cell ~#**************#~ And whod think in elementary, hey ~#**************#~ Id see the penitentiary one day? ~#**************#~ And runnin from the police, thats right ~#**************#~ Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside ~#**************#~ And even as a crack fiend, Mama ~#**************#~ You always was a black queen, Mama ~#**************#~ I finally understand ~#**************#~ For a woman, it aint easy tryin to raise a man ~#**************#~ You always was committed ~#**************#~ A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how you did it ~#**************#~ Theres no way I can pay you back ~#**************#~ But the plan is to show you that I understand ~#**************#~ You are appreciated ~#**************#~ [Chorus: Reggie Green & Sweet Franklin, 2Pac] ~#**************#~ Lady, dont you know we love ya? (Dear Mama) ~#**************#~ Sweet lady, place no one above ya (You are appreciated) ~#**************#~ Sweet lady, dont you know we love ya? ~#**************#~ [Verse 2] ~#**************#~ Now, aint nobody tell us it was fair ~#**************#~ No love for my daddy, cause the coward wasnt there ~#**************#~ He passed away and I didnt cry ~#**************#~ ‘Cause my anger wouldnt let me feel for a stranger ~#**************#~ They say Im wrong and Im heartless, but all along ~#**************#~ I was lookin 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 hangin ~#**************#~ I needed money of my own, so I started slangin ~#**************#~ I aint guilty, cause even though I sell rocks ~#**************#~ It feels good puttin money in your mailbox ~#**************#~ I love payin rent when the rent is due ~#**************#~ I hope you got the diamond necklace that I sent to you ~#**************#~ ‘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 comin home after work late ~#**************#~ Youre in the kitchen, tryin to fix us a hot plate ~#**************#~ You just workin with the scraps you was given ~#**************#~ And Mama made miracles every Thanksgivin ~#**************#~ But now the road got rough, youre alone ~#**************#~ Youre tryin to raise two bad kids on your own ~#**************#~ And theres no way I can pay you back ~#**************#~ But my plan is to show you that I understand ~#**************#~ You are appreciated ~#**************#~ [Chorus: Reggie Green & Sweet Franklin, 2Pac] ~#**************#~ Lady, dont you know we love ya? (Dear Mama) ~#**************#~ Sweet lady, place no one above ya (You are appreciated) ~#**************#~ Sweet lady, dont you know we love ya? ~#**************#~ [Verse 3] ~#**************#~ Pour out some liquor and I reminisce ~#**************#~ ‘Cause through the drama, I can always depend on my mama ~#**************#~ And when it seems that Im hopeless ~#**************#~ You say the words that can get me back in focus ~#**************#~ When I was sick as a little kid ~#**************#~ To keep me happy theres 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, theres a brighter day ~#**************#~ Everything will be alright if you hold on ~#**************#~ Its a struggle every day, gotta roll on ~#**************#~ And theres no way I can pay you back ~#**************#~ But my plan is to show you that I understand ~#**************#~ You are appreciated ~#**************#~ [Chorus: Reggie Green & Sweet Franklin, 2Pac] ~#**************#~ Lady, dont you know we love ya? (Dear Mama) ~#**************#~ Sweet lady, place no one above ya (You are appreciated) ~#**************#~ Sweet lady, dont you know we love ya? (Dear Mama) ~#**************#~ Sweet lady, lady (Dear Mama) ~#**************#~ Lady, lady