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You are appreciated |
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[Verse One: 2Pac] |
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When I was young me and my mama had beef |
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Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets |
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Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face |
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Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place |
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Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool |
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with the big boys, breakin all the rules |
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I shed tears with my baby sister |
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Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids |
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And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama |
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When things went wrong we'd blame mama |
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I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell |
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Huggin on my mama from a jail cell |
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And who'd think in elementary? |
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Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day |
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And runnin from the police, that's right |
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Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside |
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And even as a crack fiend, mama |
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You always was a black queen, mama |
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I finally understand |
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for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man |
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You always was committed |
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A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it |
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There's no way I can pay you back |
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But the plan is to show you that I understand |
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You are appreciated |
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[Chorus: Reggie Green & "Sweet Franklin" w/ 2Pac] |
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Lady... |
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Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady |
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Dear mama |
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Place no one above ya, sweet lady |
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You are appreciated |
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Don't cha know we love ya? |
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[second and third chorus, "And dear mama" instead of "Dear mama"] |
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[Verse Two: 2Pac] |
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Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair |
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No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there |
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He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger |
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wouldn't let me feel for a stranger |
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They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along |
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I was lookin for a father he was gone |
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I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs |
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They showed a young brother love |
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I moved out and started really hangin |
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I needed money of my own so I started slangin |
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I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks |
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It feels good puttin money in your mailbox |
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I love payin rent when the rent's due |
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I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you |
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Cause when I was low you was there for me |
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And never left me alone because you cared for me |
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And I could see you comin home after work late |
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You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate |
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Ya just workin with the scraps you was given |
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And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin |
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But now the road got rough, you're alone |
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You're tryin to raise two bad kids on your own |
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And there's no way I can pay you back |
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But my plan is to show you that I understand |
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You are appreciated |
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[Chorus] |
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[Verse Three: 2Pac] |
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Pour out some liquor and I reminsce, cause through the drama |
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I can always depend on my mama |
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And when it seems that I'm hopeless |
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You say the words that can get me back in focus |
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When I was sick as a little kid |
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To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did |
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And all my childhood memories |
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Are full of all the sweet things you did for me |
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And even though I act craaazy |
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I gotta thank the Lord that you made me |
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There are no words that can express how I feel |
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You never kept a secret, always stayed real |
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And I appreciate, how you raised me |
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And all the extra love that you gave me |
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I wish I could take the pain away |
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If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day |
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Everything will be alright if ya hold on |
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It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on |
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And there's no way I can pay you back |
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But my plan is to show you that I understand |
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You are appreciated |
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[Chorus] |
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Sweet lady |
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And dear mama |
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Dear mama |
| [3X] |
Lady |
