2Pac, Yo-Yo - Dear Mama (Original Version) lyrics

Wouldn't be a damn thang without a woman
What'd you say about my mother, man?
Wouldn't be a damn thang without a woman
What'd you say about my mother, man?

When I was young, me and my mama had beef
17 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 the other 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 a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary, hey
I'd see the penitentiary one day?
And running 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

Wouldn't be a damn thang without a woman
What'd you say about my mother, man?
(Dear mama)
Wouldn't be a damn thang without a woman
What'd you say about my mother, man?
(You are appreciated)
Wouldn't be a damn thang without a woman
What'd you say about my mother, man?

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 looking 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 putting money in your mailbox
I love paying rent when the rent's due
I hope you 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 coming
Home after work late
You're in the kitchen trying to
Fix us a hot plate you just working with the
Scraps you was given
And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin'
But now the road got rough, you're alone
You're trying to raise 2 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

Wouldn't be a damn thang without a woman
What'd you say about my mother, man?
(Dear mama)
Wouldn't be a damn thang without a woman
What'd you say about my mother, man?
(You are appreciated)
Wouldn't be a damn thang without a woman
What'd you say about my mother, man?

Pour out 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

Wouldn't be a damn thang without a woman
What'd you say about my mother, man?
(Dear mama)
Wouldn't be a damn thang without a woman
What'd you say about my mother, man?
(You are appreciated)
Wouldn't be a damn thang without a woman
What'd you say about my mother, man?
(Dear mama)
Wouldn't be a damn thang without a woman
What'd you say about my mother, man?
(You are appreciated)

Mama told me there'd be days like this
What'd you say about my mother, man?
Mama told me there'd be days like this
What'd you say about my mother, man?
Mama told me there'd be days like this
Dear mama
Mama told me there'd be days like this
Dear mama
Mama told me there'd be days like this
Dear mama
Mama told me there'd be days like this
Mama told me there'd be days like this
Mama told me there'd be days like this
Mama told me there'd be days like this