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]