You are appreciated
Verse One: 2Pac
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 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 daddy`s, the same drama
When things went wrong we`d blame mama
I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin on my mama from a jail cell
And who`d think in elementary?
Heeey! I 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 ya 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: Reggie Green & Sweet Franklin w/ 2Pac *
Lady...
Don`t cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Dear mama
Place no one above ya, sweet lady
You are appreciated
Don`t cha know we love ya?
* second and third chorus, And dear mama instead of Dear mama
Verse Two: 2Pac
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 ya 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
Ya 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
Chorus
Verse Three: 2Pac
Pour out some liquor and I reminsce, 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 craaazy
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 ya 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
Sweet lady
And dear mama
Dear mama
Lady (3X)
