Bobina, Otnicka, Mario Cola - Dear Mama

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 were 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 Hugging 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 catches me put a whooping 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 Dear Mama You are appreciated Dear Mama Now, ain't nobody tells 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 thugs And even though they sold They showed a young brother love I moved out and started really hanging I needed money of my own So I started slanging 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 You are appreciated Dear Mama You are appreciated Dear Mama 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 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 And there's no way I can pay you back But my plan Is to show you that I understand You are appreciated You are appreciated You are appreciated