[00:00.00]Lady
[00:16.80]When I was young me and my mama had beef
[00:19.00]17 years old, kicked out on the streets
[00:21.75]Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face
[00:24.60]Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place
[00:27.44]Suspended from school
[00:28.85]And scared to go home,
[00:29.70]I was a fool with the big boys, breaking all the rules
[00:33.35]I shed tears with my baby sister
[00:35.46]Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids
[00:38.74]And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
[00:41.89]When things went wrong we'd blame mama
[00:44.49]I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell
[00:47.35]Huggin' on my mama from a jail cell
[00:50.20]And who'd think in elementary?
[00:52.82]Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day
[00:56.46]And running from the police, that's right
[00:59.00]Mama catch me, put a whoopin' to my backside
[01:01.73]And even as a crack fiend, mama
[01:04.29]You always was a black queen, mama
[01:07.00]I finally understand
[01:08.73]for a woman it ain't easy trying to raise a man
[01:12.70]You always was committed
[01:14.45]A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it
[01:17.54]There's no way I can pay you back
[01:19.87]But the plan is to show you that I understand
[01:22.65]You are appreciated
[01:24.00]Lady...
[01:28.78]Dear mama
[01:34.00]You are appreciated
[01:40.10]Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair
[01:42.00]No love from my daddy, 'cause the coward wasn't there
[01:44.61]He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger
[01:48.32]wouldn't let me feel for a stranger
[01:50.45]They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along
[01:53.55]I was looking for a father he was gone
[01:56.34]I hung around with the thugs, and even though they sold drugs
[01:59.71]They showed a young brother love
[02:01.73]I moved out and started really hangin'
[02:03.88]I needed money of my own so I started slangin'
[02:06.36]I ain't guilty, 'cause even though I sell rocks
[02:09.10]It feels good putting money in your mailbox
[02:12.52]I love payin' rent when the rent's due
[02:15.00]I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
[02:17.86]Cause when I was low you was there for me
[02:20.20]And never left me alone because you cared for me
[02:23.17]And I could see you coming home after work late
[02:25.69]You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate
[02:29.40]Ya just working with the scraps you was given
[02:31.70]And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin'
[02:35.00]But now the road got rough, you're alone
[02:37.39]You're trying to raise two bad kids on your own
[02:40.33]And there's no way I can pay you back
[02:42.52]But my plan is to show you that I understand
[02:45.55]You are appreciated
[02:46.60]Lady...
[02:51.90]Dear mama
[02:55.83]place no one above ya (You are appreciated)
[03:02.40]Pour out some liquor and I reminsce,
[03:04.40]cause through the drama I can always depend on my mama
[03:07.76]And when it seems that I'm hopeless
[03:09.89]You say the words that can get me back in focus
[03:13.15]When I was sick as a little kid
[03:15.67]To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
[03:18.83]And all my childhood memories
[03:21.37]Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
[03:24.32]And even though I act crazy
[03:26.95]I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
[03:29.64]There are no words that can express how I feel
[03:32.39]You never kept a secret, always stayed real
[03:35.22]And I appreciate, how you raised me
[03:38.08]And all the extra love that you gave me
[03:41.27]I wish I could take the pain away
[03:43.10]If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day
[03:45.94]Everything will be alright if ya hold on
[03:48.76]It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
[03:51.99]And there's no way I can pay you back
[03:54.35]But my plan is to show you that I understand
[03:57.22]You are appreciated
[03:58.50]Sweet lady
[04:03.16]Dear mama
[04:14.00]Dear mama