You are appreciated...

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 your face
Ain't no woman alive
that can take my mama's place
Suspended from school, 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 other little kids
And even though we had different daddies
The same drama
when things went wrong, we blamed mama
I reminised on the stress I caused, it was hell
Hugging on my mama from a jail cell
And who'ed think in elementary,
Heeeey I'd see the penitentiary
One day running from the police, that's right
Momma catch me--put a whoop'en to my backside
And even as a crack fiend mama,
You always was the black queen, mama
I finally understand for a woman
It ain't easy--trying to raise a man
Ya always was commited,
a poor single mother on welfare,
Tell me how you did
There's no way I can pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand.
You are appreciated......

Chorus
Laaaaady, don't you know we luv ya
Sweeeet laaaady, place no one above ya
Sweeeet laaaady, don't you know we luv ya

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 thug's
And even knew they sold drugs
They showed a young brother love
I moved out and started really hangin'
I needed money on 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 rents due
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 can see you coming home after work late
You in the kitchen trying to fix us a hot plate
Just working with the scraps she was givin'
And mama made miracles every thanksgiving
But now the road got rough, you're alone
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
You are appreciated.....

Chorus
Laaaaady, don't you know we luv ya
Sweeeet laaaady, place no one above ya
Sweeeet laaaady, don't you know we luv ya

Pour out some liquor and I reminisce it
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 craaaazy
I gotta thank the lord that you maaaade 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
Everyday 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...

Chorus
Laaaaady, don't you know we luv ya
Sweeeet laaaady, place no one above ya
Sweeeet laaaady, don't you know we luv ya,
Sweeeet laaaady

Laaaady...[fades]...laaaady