You are appreciated.

When I was young, me and my mama had beef, 17 years old, kicked out in the streets.

Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face.

Ain't a woman alive that can take my mama's place.

Suspended from school, scared to go home.

I was a fool with the big boys, breaking all the rules.

I shared tears with my baby sister.

Over the years, we was poorer than the other little kids.

And even though we had different daddies, the same drama, when things went wrong, we blamed mama.

I reminisce on the stress I caused.

It was hell, hugging on my mama from a jail cell.

And who would think in elementary, hey, I see the penitentiary one day.

Running from the police, that's right.

Mama catch me, put a whip into my backside.

And even as a crack fiend, mama, you always was a black queen, mama.

I finally understand for a woman in an 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 could pay you back.

But the plan is to show you that I understand.

You are appreciated.

Don't you know we love you, sweet lady.

Place no one above you, sweet lady.

Don't you know we love you.

Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair.

No love for 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 drugs, they showed a young brother love.

I moved out and started really hanging.

I needed money of my own so I started slinging.

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 cause you cared for me.

And I can see you coming home after work late.

You're in the kitchen trying to fix us a hot plate.

Just working with the scraps you was giving.

And mama made miracles, every Thanksgiving.

But now the road got rough, you're alone.

Trying to raise two bad kids on your own.

And there's no way I could pay you back.

But the plan is to show you that I understand.

You are appreciated.

Don't you know we love you, sweet lady.

There's no one above you, sweet lady.

Don't you know we love you.

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 the sweet things you did for me.

And even though I act crazy, 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 you hold on.

It's a struggle every day, gotta hold on.

And there's no way I could pay you back.

But my plan is to show you that I understand.

You are appreciated.

Don't you know we love you, sweet lady.

There's no one above you, sweet lady.

Don't you know we love you, dear mama.

You are appreciated.