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