[00:05.56] You are appreciated [00:07.94] [00:11.52] When I was young, me and my mama had beef [00:13.77] 17 years old, kicked out on the streets [00:16.72] Though back at the time I never thought I'd see her face [00:19.46] Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place [00:22.20] Suspended from school, and scared to go home, I was a fool [00:26.07] With the big boys breakin' all the rules [00:28.53] I shed tears with my baby sister, over the years [00:31.66] We was poorer than the other little kids [00:33.86] And even though we had different daddies, the same drama [00:37.31] When things went wrong we'd blame Mama [00:40.29] I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell [00:43.13] Huggin' on my mama from a jail cell [00:46.02] And who'd think in elementary, hey [00:49.67] I'd see the penitentiary one day? [00:52.42] And runnin' from the police, that's right [00:55.13] Mama catch me, put a whoopin' to my backside [00:58.24] And even as a crack fiend, Mama [01:00.73] You always was a black queen, Mama [01:03.99] I finally understand [01:05.19] For a woman it ain't easy tryin' to raise a man [01:09.09] You always was committed [01:11.06] A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how you did it [01:14.46] There's no way I can pay you back [01:16.43] But the plan is to show you that I understand [01:19.34] You are appreciated [01:20.54] Lady, don't you know we love you? (Dear Mama) [01:25.42] Sweet lady, place no one above you (you are appreciated) [01:31.87] Sweet lady, don't you know we love you? [01:37.58] Now, ain't nobody tell us it was fair [01:39.50] No love from my daddy, 'cause the coward wasn't there [01:42.44] He passed away and I didn't cry, 'cause my anger [01:46.10] Wouldn't let me feel for a stranger [01:48.27] They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along [01:51.76] I was lookin' for a father, he was gone [01:54.37] I hung around with the thugs [01:55.97] And even though they sold drugs [01:57.73] They showed a young brother love [01:59.80] I moved out and started really hangin' [02:01.93] I needed money of my own, so I started slangin' [02:05.10] I ain't guilty, 'cause even though I sell rocks [02:07.72] It feels good puttin' money in your mailbox [02:10.83] I love payin' rent when the rent's due [02:13.44] I hope you got the diamond necklace that I sent to you [02:16.74] 'Cause when I was low you was there for me [02:19.21] And never left me alone, because you cared for me [02:22.06] And I could see you comin' home after work late [02:24.89] You're in the kitchen, tryin' to fix us a hot plate [02:28.47] You just workin' with the scraps you was given [02:31.19] And Mama made miracles every Thanksgivin' [02:34.28] But now the road got rough, you're alone [02:36.75] You're tryin' to raise two bad kids on your own [02:39.88] And there's no way I can pay you back [02:42.25] But my plan is to show you that I understand [02:45.32] You are appreciated [02:46.02] Lady, don't you know we love you? (And dear Mama) [02:51.68] Sweet lady, place no one above you (you are appreciated) [02:57.17] Sweet lady, don't you know we love you? [03:02.94] Pour out some liquor and I reminisce [03:04.86] 'Cause through the drama I can always depend on my mama [03:08.45] And when it seems that I'm hopeless [03:10.54] You say the words that can get me back in focus [03:14.30] When I was sick as a little kid [03:16.26] To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did [03:19.91] And all my childhood memories [03:22.27] Are full of all the sweet things you did for me [03:25.53] And even though I act crazy [03:28.08] I gotta thank the Lord that you made me [03:30.71] There are no words that can express how I feel [03:33.74] You never kept a secret, always stayed real [03:36.52] And I appreciate how you raised me [03:39.31] And all the extra love that you gave me [03:42.66] I wish I could take the pain away [03:44.96] If you can make it through the night, there's a brighter day [03:47.95] Everything will be alright if you hold on [03:50.81] It's a struggle every day, gotta roll on [03:53.77] And there's no way I can pay you back [03:56.42] But my plan is to show you that I understand [03:59.49] You are appreciated [04:00.23] Lady, don't you know we love you? (Dear Mama) [04:05.02] Sweet lady, place no one above you (you are appreciated) [04:11.07] Sweet lady, don't you know we love you? (Dear Mama) [04:16.89] Sweet lady [04:19.88] [04:22.80] Lady (dear Mama) [04:28.61] Lady, lady [04:34.90]