2Pac - Dear Momma

You are appreciated 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 mamas place Suspended from school, scared to go home I was a fool with the big boys, breaking all the rules 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 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, running 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 trying to raise a man You always was committed, 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 (Chorus) Lady, don't ya know we love ya Sweet lady, place no one above ya Sweet lady, don't ya know we love ya Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair No love for my daddy 'cos the coward wasn’t there He passed away and I didn't cry 'Cos 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 hangin' I needed money of my own so I started slangin' I ain't guilty, 'cos 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 'Cos when I was low you was there for me You never left me alone 'cos you cared for me And I can see you coming home after work, late You're in the kitchen tryin' 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 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 (Chorus) Lady, don't ya know we love ya Sweet lady, place no one above ya Sweet lady, don't ya know we love ya Pour out some liquor and I reminisce 'Cos 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 got to thank the Lord the 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, everyday 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 (Chorus) Lady, don't ya know we love ya Sweet lady, place no one above ya Sweet lady, don't ya know we love ya Sweet lady, lady, lady, lady