Dear Mama (Remix Version) [feat. Anthony Hamilton]

I love you

You are appreciated

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 breaking all the rules

I shed tears with my baby sister

Over the years we was poorer than all the 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

Huggin' on my Mama from my jail cell

And who'd think in elementary?

Hey, I'd 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 tryna 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

Mama, don't you know I love you? Dear Mama

Place no one above you (Dear Mama)

I appreciate you (You are appreciated)

Although my shadow's gone

I will never leave you

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 guility 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 you got the diamond necklace that I sent to ya

Cause when I was low you was there for me

You never left me alone because you cared for me

And I can 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 Thanksgiving

But now the road got rough, you're alone

You're tryna 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

Mama, don't you know we love you?

Dear Mama, place no one above you

Dear Mama

I appreciate you

I would never leave you

Pour 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

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 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

Mama, don't you know I love you?

Dear Mama, place no one above you

Dear Mama, I appreciate you

I would never leave you

Dear Mama, I appreciate you

I love you

I need you

Dear Mama, I love you

I appreciate you

I need you

Oh, Mama

Dear Mama

I appreciate you, I love you

I need you, oh Mama

I love you, appreciate you

I need you, oh Mama