Artist: 2Pac
Album:  Me Against the World
Song:   Dear Mama

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. Scared ta go home. I was a fool.
           With the Big Boyz, breakin' all the rules.
           Had 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 penitentary!
           One day, runnin' from the police... That's Right...
           Mama cacthed me, put a whoopin' to my back side.
           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' ta raise a man.
           You always was commited.
           A poor single mother on welfare... Tell me how ya did it.
           There's no way I can pay ya back,
           But the plan is ta show ya that I understand.
           You are appreciated.

Voice:     Lady. Don't cha know what love is?
2Pac:      Dear Mama.
Voice:     Sweet Lady. Place no one above ya.
2Pac:      You are appreciated.
Voice:     Sweet Lady. Don't cha know what love is?

2Pac:      Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair.
           No love from my Daddy 'cause the cabal 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 ya.
           'Cause when I was low you was there for me.
           Ya never left me alone 'cause ya cared for me.
           And I could see ya comin' home after work late.
           Ya in the kitchen tryin' ta 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 your alone.
           Tryin' ta raise two bad kids on your own.
           And there's no way I can pay ya back.
           But my plan is ta show ya that I understand.
           You are appreciated.

Voice:     Lady. Don't cha know what love is?
2Pac:      And Dear Mama.
Voice:     Sweet Lady. Place no one above ya.
2Pac:      You are appreciated.
Voice:     Sweet Lady. Don't cha know what love is?

2Pac:      Pour Out Some Liquor and I reminice. '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 git me back in focus.
           When I was sick as a little kid,
           To keep me happy there's no limit to the things ya did.
           And all my childhood memories
           Are full of all the sweet things ya did for me.
           And even though I act craaazy,
           I gotta thank the Lord that cha made me.
           There are no words that can express how I feel.
           Ya never kept a secret, always stayed real.
           And I appreciated how ya raised me.
           And all the extra love that cha 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 ya back.
           But my plan is ta show ya that I understand.
           You are appreciated.

Voice:     Lady. Don't cha know what love is?
2Pac:      And Dear Mama.
Voice:     Sweet Lady. Place no one above ya.
2Pac:      You are appreciated.
Voice:     Sweet Lady. Don't cha know what love is?
2Pac:      And Dear Mama.
Voice:     Sweet Lady.
2Pac:      Dear Mama.
Voice:     Lady.
           Lady.