You are appreciated.

When I was young me and my mama had been

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 scared ta go home

I was a fool with the big boyz

Breakin' 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 daddy's

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

Heeey! I see the penitentiary!

One day, runnin' from the police...

That's right mama cacthed me,

Put a whoopin' to my back side

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' ta 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 ya back,

But the plan is ta show ya that I understand

You are appreciated.

(Lady, don't cha know what love is?)

Dear mama.

(Sweet lady, place no one above ya)

You are appreciated.

(Sweet lady, don't cha know what love is?)

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 looking for a father he was gone

I hung around with the thugs

And even tho 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 is due

I hope you got the diamond necklace that I sent to ya

'Cause when I was low you was there for me

Ya never left alone 'cause you cared for me

And I could see you comin' home after workin' late

Ya in the kitchen tryin' ta 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

Tryin' to raise two bad kids on your own

There's no way I can pay ya back,

But the plan is ta show ya that I understand

You are appreciated.

(Lady, don't cha know what love is?)

Dear mama.

(Sweet lady, place no one above ya)

You are appreciated.

(Sweet lady, don't cha know what love is?)

Pour out some liquor and I reminisce

'Cause thru the dram I can always depend

On my Mama

And when it seems that I'm hopeless

You say the words that can git 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 ya 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

Ya never kept a secret, always stayed real

And I appreciate how you raised me

And all the extra love that cha 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 every day, gotta roll on

There's no way I can pay ya back,

But the plan is ta show ya that I understand

You are appreciated.

(Lady, don't cha know what love is?)

Dear mama.

(Sweet lady, place no one above ya)

You are appreciated.

(Sweet lady, don't cha know what love is?)