[Verse 1]
My mama showed me what love really means
17 years old she had to give up on her dreams
Couldn't even go to college, she had so much to loose
It ain’t a woman alive that could fill my mama shoes
Put ya life on the line, ya mama I know its painful
That's why I had to let you know that I'm thankful
Over the years I know I put you through a lot
Seems like I’m starting more, the older that I got
And even though it seems like things change, mama
My love for you is still the same, mama
It's hard raising a young, black male
But you kept me on the right track
I never seen a jail cell
Now who'd think in elementary
Hey! That these record labels would mention me one day
Disrespectful to my school teachers, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whoopin' to my backside
You always was a black queen, mama
And now you raised a young king, mama
I finally understand I need you to survive
You the backbone of my life
I need you to be alive
Without you here, then I might as well die
You a angel sent from heaven
You the reason that I'm fly
You did what no other mother can
The plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
Lady, don't you know we love ya? Sweet lady

[Chorus]
Dear Mama
Lady, place no one, sweet lady
You are appreciated
Lady, don't you know we love ya?

[Verse 2]
Back then being pregnant young was rare
Still raised me yourself and had to raise me young was unfair
But you made a way
You never gave up
Got your first job at Friday’s and got payed up
I mean mugged any guy that tried to talk to ya
Don’t even look my mama way, I woulda fought for ya
They looked at me and laughed
I was like ain't nothing funny
My mind set was can’t nobody take my mama from me
Sorry if I was too overprotective of ya
But that was my lil way of lettin you know I love ya
One bedroom apartment, it was just you and I
Late nights watching X-Files, you and I
I always had the latest J's and the newest clothes
All my friends always asked what kinda shoes are those
You treated me like the young king I grew up to be
But know I got a million kids looking up to me
How does it feel to know that you the reason
Looked how it all payed off, mama you the reason
Yo kids always came first, even before you
That's why I never ever put no one before you
I counted on you every time
You never let me down
For those who thought you would fail, tell them look at me now
You did what no other mother can
And the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
Lady, don't you know we love ya? Sweet lady

[Chorus]
Dear mama
Lady, place no one above ya, sweet lady
You are appreciated
Lady, don’t you know we love you