Dear Mama: Tupac & Fardowsa
• Written by Anonymous
Tupac: Dear Momma
The daughter of an immigrant mother
Without a father for guidance
Seven kids you raised alone with little help
Sittin in the couch reminiscing on the all times you called my father to come to America
Yet he refused
And even though you hid your tears from sight
I could hear them late night while
The bond we share can never break
I regret all my selfish mistakes
Young stupid girl caught up in all the new trends
Too busy trying to impress
And repress my physical cultural distinctions with bleached hair and American materialism
Yet you sat patiently listening to my melodramatic rants
As a child I could not understand the struggles you faced
Going to ESL night classes
Taking any job you were given
Yet you had time to comfort and guide seven kids
You suffered in silence as racist, sexist employers exploited your labor
Ignorant neighbors spitting at yo face telling you to go back to Africa
Yet in all of this you treated your kids like kings and queens
My Nubian queen
I hope to one day match your strength and elegance
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
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 Eid celebration
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]
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]