Mama

(Oh oh oh)
(My-my mama, yeah yeah yeah)
(Nanana nanana oooh)
My mama told me, "don't you change yourself
Said that you won't be happy being someone else"
And my mama told me "please take care of yourself.
You could choose your direction with the cards your dealt"
My money and my mama that's what motivate me
Every single dollar in these pockets that's for my old lady
And my mama's mama told me "Why you on the corner baby?
I see brand new pain in your eyes what you been doin lately?"
"I know what you've... been... up... to
You must really think I'm stupid baby
I'm from Brooklyn where they do this and I tell you I been thru this don't know who you think you foolin' baby"
"I can't bare to see you dead or in the penitentiary
Made you all of who you are and I gave you the best of me
Watch you turn into the star I know that you was meant to be
It's a blessing when you smile because I see yourself in me"
I said "Ma you gotta chill I don't know why you're stressing me."
She said "Boy I seen them pills and that's not how you find your peace."
I said "Ma you really buggin' out just mind your business please.
There's way too much on your plate for you to lose sleep over me."
She said "How could I relax when I am you and you are me?!??
I was walking to the store I saw you servin' on the street!!
And that's now how I done raised you. I'm not tryna cage you-"
I said "Ma I'm only doing all this shit because I'm paid to"
She said "Don't you dare forget about the seed that fuckin made you!
You come from a line of people that would die for what I gave you!
We from the jungle when we left we left it all out on the the table,
Swear if I lose you to these streets I swear to God i won't be stable!"
I said "Mama listen to me...
I could look into your eyes and I'm feelin' your pain
Every single time we speak I know we one in the same
I don't believe religion but I'm prayin' for change
I make my own decisions you not ownin' the blame
I make my own decisions it's not your fault.
And when I'm on the road I know I don't call.
You lift me up I'm praying that I don't fall.
But it's my call I'm sayin' it ain't your call."
My mama told me, "don't you change yourself"
Said that you won't be happy being someone else
And my mama told me "please take care of yourself.
You could choose your direction with the cards your dealt"
My mama (mama)
My mama told me, My mama told me
My mama (mama)
My mama told me, My mama told me