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]