Dear Mama

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

I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell
It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on

Lady, don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face
And dear mama place no one above ya, sweet lady
They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along
When I was sick as a little kid
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
Huggin' on my mama from a jail cell and high school elementary?
And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
There's no way I can pay you back
I was lookin' for a father he was gone
I finally understand for a woman it ain't easy

You never kept a secret, always stayed real
And never left me alone because you cared for me
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
Lady, don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Ya just workin' with the scraps you was given
You are appreciated, don't cha know we love ya?

You always was a black queen, mama
'Cause when I was low you was there for me
Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets
Everything will be alright if ya hold on
Suspended from school and scared to go home, I was a fool
Lady, don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Wouldn't let me feel for a stranger
And even as a crack theme, mama
I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
I love payin' rent when the rent's due
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place
When I was a youngin' and ma mama had me
I moved out and started really hangin'
But now the road got rough, here alone
But my plan is to show you that I understand you are appreciated
And I could see you comin' home after work late
I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs
And all the extra love that you gave me
Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids
And even though I act crazy
You're in the kitchen tryin' to fix us a hot plate
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
Dear mama, place no one above ya, sweet lady
It feels good puttin' money in your mailbox
And all my childhood memories
You are appreciated, don't cha know we love ya?
I can always depend on my mama
There are no words that can express how I feel
I ain't guilty 'cause, even though I sell rocks

And I appreciate, how you raised me

And dear mama place no one above ya, sweet lady
But the plan is to show you that I understand you are appreciated
Sweet lady, and dear mama
You say the words that can get me back in focus

He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger
If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day

I wish I could take the pain away
I needed money of my own so I started shaggin'

And runnin' from the police, that's right
You are appreciated, don't cha know we love ya?
I shed tears with my baby sister

Tryin' to raise a man you always was committed
They showed a young brother love
Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair
Mama catch me, put a whoopin' to my backside

Pour out some liquor and I reminisce, 'cause through the drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama
Hey, I see the penitentiary, one day
And there's no way I can pay you back
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it

You're tryin' to raise two bad kids on your own
With the big boys, breakin' all the rules

To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
And there's no way I can pay you back
No love from my daddy 'cause the coward wasn't there

And mama made miracles every thanksgivin'