Dear Mama

Lady
Don't you know we love ya? Sweet lady
Don't you know we love ya?

When I was young, me and my mama had beef
Seventeen years old kicked out on the street
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 (oh no)
Suspended from school, and scared to go home, I was a fool
With the big boys, breaking all the rules (yeah)
I shed tears with my baby sister
Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids
And even though we had different daddies, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama (oh no)
I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin' on my mama from a jail cell (uh-huh)
And who'd think in elementary
Hey! I'd see the penitentiary one day
And running 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 ya know we love ya? Sweet lady (dear mama)
Place no one above ya, sweet lady (you are appreciated)
Don't ya know we love ya?

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 though they sold drugs
They showed a young brother love (yeah, yeah)
I moved out and started really hanging
I needed money of my own so I started slanging
I ain't guilty 'cause even though I sell rocks
It feels good putting money in your mailbox
I love paying rent when the rent's due (when the rent's due)
I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you (that I sent to you)
'Cause when I was low you was there for me
You never left me alone because you cared for me
And I could see you coming 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 Thanksgiving (uh-huh)
But now the road got rough, you're alone (uh-huh)
You're trying 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

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

Dear mama