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]