Dear Mama

You are appreciated
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 When I was young, me and my mama had beef
 17 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 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 we'd blame Mama
 I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell
 Huggin' on my mama from a jail cell
 And who'd think in elementary, hey
 I'd see the penitentiary one day?
 And runnin' from the police, that's 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 ain't easy tryin' 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 you? (Dear Mama)
 Sweet lady, place no one above you (you are appreciated)
 Sweet lady, don't you know we love you?
 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 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 ain't guilty, 'cause even though I sell rocks
 It feels good puttin' money in your mailbox
 I love payin' 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, because you cared for me
 And I could see you comin' home after work late
 You're 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, you're alone
 You're tryin' 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 you? (And dear Mama)
 Sweet lady, place no one above you (you are appreciated)
 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 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 you? (Dear Mama)
 Sweet lady, place no one above you (you are appreciated)
 Sweet lady, don't you know we love you? (Dear Mama)
 Sweet lady
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 Lady (dear Mama)
 Lady, lady