You are appreciated

Verse One: 2Pac

When I was young me and my mama had beef
Seventeen 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, breakin 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 daddy's, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama
I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary?
Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day
And runnin 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

Chorus: Reggie Green & "Sweet Franklin" w/ 2Pac *

Lady...
Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Dear mama
Place no one above ya, sweet lady
You are appreciated
Don't cha know we love ya?

* second and third chorus, "And dear mama" instead of "Dear mama"

Verse Two: 2Pac

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 lookin for a father he was gone
I hung around with the 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 puttin money in your mailbox
I love payin rent when the rent's due
I hope ya 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 comin 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 Thanksgivin
But now the road got rough, you're alone
You're tryin 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

Verse Three: 2Pac

Pour out some liquor and I reminsce, 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 craaazy
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 ya 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

Sweet lady
And dear mama

Dear mama
Lady (3X)


Lyrics submitted by spliphstar

Dear Mama song meanings
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57 Comments

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  • +11
    General Comment

    Tupac took hip hop with him when he left. R.I.P.

    BornSinneron August 12, 2012   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    2pac wrote this not only for his mom, but for all moms

    iamthenightstarson May 25, 2008   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    "And even as a crack fiend You always were a black queen"

    I think that line is beautiful.

    stephsayson January 16, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    It's perfectly understandable why he says 'I love paying rent when the rent's due'

    Chraeson November 14, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song means a lot.

    ANONYMOUSon May 22, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I luv this song. Tupac wrote this song while he was in prison. He is a thug but yet hes still a gentlemen. Hes man enough to say thank you mom for all you did for me. Even though he had a hard childhood. Tupac is dead now. But his spirit lives on through his music for ever. R.I.P Y yupac 1971-1996

    RockerDI04on August 19, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Isn't this the best thing he could ever have done to show his mother his love and respect?! Tupac was one of the greatest artists ever. Too sad the best have to pass away so early.

    Sunnyon August 26, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is emotional

    KonArtiston September 07, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Best song by 2pac, this showed the brighter side of rap. Long live a rapping legend

    Bishop102on March 07, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Tupac was the best aritist ever..he kinda enspired me to begin to rap..this song is really tight.he just explains how much stuff he put his mum through and how much he really loves her..one day me and my mum was having some trubles so i was like hey mum and i got the instremntal for this song and rap'd it for her i was pretty sweer peace kage

    Kageon May 11, 2003   Link

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