When I was young, me and my mama had beef
17 years old kicked out on tha streets
Though back in tha time, I never thought Id see her face
Ain't a woman alive that can take my mommas place
Suspended from school, scared ta go home
I was a fool with tha big boys breaking all tha rules
Shed tears with my baby sister
Over tha years we was poorer than tha other little kids
And even though we had different daddies
Tha same drama when things went wrong we blamed mama
I reminisced on tha stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin' on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary, hey I'd see tha penitentiary
One day
Running from tha police, that's right
Momma catch me, put a whoopen to my backside
And even as a crack fiend mama,
Ya always was a black queen mama
I finally understand for a woman
It aint easy, trying ta raise a man
Ya always was committed, a poor single mother on welfare,
Tell me how ya did it
There's no way I can pay ya back
But tha plan is ta show ya that I understand.
You are appreciated

Lady, don't cha know we love ya
Sweet lady, place no one above ya
Sweet lady, don't cha know we love ya

Ain't nobody tell us it was fair
No love for my daddy, cause tha 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 tha 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, putting money in your mailbox
I love paying rent when tha rents due
I hope ya got tha diamond necklace that I sent to you
Cause when I was low, you was there for me
Ya never left me alone, cause ya cared for me
And I can see ya coming home after work late
Ya in tha kitchen trying ta fix us a hot plate
Just working with tha scraps you was given
And mama made miracles every thanksgiving
But now tha road got rough, your alone
Trying ta raise two bad kids on your own
And there's no way I can pay ya back
But my plan is ta show ya that I understand
You are appreciated

Lady, don't cha know we love ya
Sweet lady, place no one above ya
Sweet lady, don't cha know we love ya

Pour out some liquor and I reminisce
Cause through tha drama, I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say tha words that can get me back in focus
When I was sick as a little kid
Ta keep me happy there's no limit to tha things ya did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all tha sweet things ya did for me
And even though I act crazy
I got ta thank tha lord that ya made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
Ya never kept a secret, always stayed real
And I appreciate how ya raised me
And all tha extra love that ya gave me
I wish I could take tha pain away
If you can make it through tha night, there's a brighter day
Everything'll be alright if ya hold on
Its a struggle
Everyday gotta roll on
And there's no way I can pay ya back
But my plan is ta show ya that I understand
You are appreciated

Lady, don't cha know we love ya
Sweet lady, place no one above ya
Sweet lady, don't cha know we love ya, sweet lady

Lady, lady

Writer : SIMMONS, CHARLES B. / HAWES, BRUCE / JEFFERSON, JOSEPH B. / PIZARRO, TONY D. / SHAKUR, TUPAC / SAMPLE, JOE
Copyright : Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group