Saul Williams - 2Pac's “Dear Mama” lyrics

[Verse 1] When I was young, me and my mama had beef 17 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 breaking 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 daddies, 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'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 trying to raise a man You always was committed A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how you did it There's no way I can pay you back, but the plan Is to show you that I understand You are appreciated [Hook] Lady, don'tcha know we love ya? (Dear mama) Sweet lady, place no one above ya (You are appreciated) Sweet lady, don'tcha know we love ya? [Verse 2] Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there He pa**ed 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 d** 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 the rent's due I hope you 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 coming home after work late You're in the kitchen trying to fix us a hot plate You just working with the scraps you was given And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin' But now the road got rough, you're alone You're trying to raise 2 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 [Hook] [Verse 3] Pour out some liquor and I reminisce, cause through the drama I can always depend on my mama And when it seems that I'm hopeless You say the words that can get me back in focus When I was sick as a little kid To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did And all my childhood memories Are full of all the sweet things you did for me And even though I act crazy I gotta thank the Lord that you made me There are no words that can express how I feel You never kept a secret, always stayed real And I appreciate how you raised me And all the extra love that you gave me I wish I could take the pain away If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day Everything will be alright if you hold on It's a struggle every day, gotta roll on And there's no way I can pay you back, but my plan Is to show you that I understand You are appreciated