Lyrics:

You are appreciated

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 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 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

Lady
Don't you know we love you, sweet lady (Dear mama)
Place no-one above you, sweet lady (You are appreciated)
Don't you know we love you?

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

Lady
Don't you know we love you, sweet lady (Dear mama)
Place no-one above you, sweet lady (You are appreciated)
Don't you know we love you?

Sweet lady (Dear mama)
(Dear mama) Lady
Lady