2Pac写给自己妈妈的歌曲,讲述童年艰辛，在歌中唱到“没有人能代替妈妈，妈妈饱受艰辛的把自己和妹妹抚养成人。一个靠社会救济的妈妈，如何坚强的支撑起一个完整的家。在自己觉得毫无希望的时候，妈妈总能说出鼓舞的话，激励我不要放弃。”这不仅是一首歌，还是一个心酸的故事。

＜Dear Mama＞
＜亲爱的妈妈＞
When I was young me and my mama had beef
当我很年轻的时候，我妈妈抱怨着
Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets
17岁时便被解雇而无家可归
Though back at the time I never thought I'd see her face
在那时尽管回家，但我从未想象过她所面对的（困难）
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place
不是一个活着的女人能代替我妈妈
Suspended from school scared ta go home
从学校休学害怕回家
I was a fool with the big boyz
我是一个和大孩子在一起的白痴
Breakin' all the rules
违反所有的规矩
Shed tears with my baby sister, over the years
和我的小妹妹一起流着眼泪，过了多年
We was poorer than the other little kids
我们比其他小孩更穷
And even though we had different daddy's
虽然我们有不同的爸爸
The same drama
相同的经历
When things went wrong we'd blame mama.
当事情出错时，都会指责妈妈
I reminisce on the stress I caused
我回想起我带给妈*压力
It was hell, huggin' on my mama from a jail cell
真象个地狱，在一个单人小牢房挤在妈妈身上
And who'd think in elementary
谁会从基本的想到
Heeey! I see the penitentiary!
嘿！我看见了感化院！
One day, runnin' from the police...
一天，从警察局跑出...
That's right mama cacthed me,
妈妈立即抓住我
Put a whoopin' to my back side
高声咆哮让我回去
And even as a crack fiend, mama
正如一个爆破狂，妈妈
You always was a black queen, mama.
妈妈，你永远是一个伟大的黑人女性
I finally understand, for a woman it ain't easy
我终于明白了，对于一个女人来说那并不容易
Tryin' ta raise a man
饱受艰难地养大一个男人

You always was committed
你总是坚定的
A poor single mother on welfare
一个靠社会救济的贫穷的单亲妈妈
tell me how ya did it
告诉我你怎么办到的？

1-There's no way I can pay ya back,
我无法回报你
But the plan is ta show ya that I understand
但我想告诉你我明白了
You are appreciated.
我感激你.

(Lady, don't cha know what love is)
女士，难道你不明白什么是爱吗？
Dear mama.
亲爱的妈妈
(Sweet lady, place no one above ya)
可爱的女士，没有人超过你
You are appreciated.
我感激你.
(Sweet lady, don't cha know what love is)
亲爱的女士,难道你不明白什么是爱吗？

Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair
现在难道没有人告诉我们这是公平的吗
No love from my daddy 'cause the coward wasn't there
没有爸爸的爱，因为那个懦夫根本不在那儿
He passed away and I didn't cry
他死了我也不会哭泣
'Cause my anger wouldn't let me feel for a stranger
因为我的怒气不会让我对一个陌生人产生感情

They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless
他们说我错了，说我冷酷无情
But all along I was looking for a father he was gone
但我始终寻找一个自己走掉的爸爸
I hung around with the thugs
我和恶棍们游荡
And even tho they sold drugs
即使他们卖毒品
They showed a young brother love...
他们展示出一个兄弟的爱
I moved out and started really hangin'
我了搬出去，开始真正的游荡
I needed money of my own so I started slangin'
我需要我自己的钱，所以我开始诈取钱财
I ain't guilty 'cause even though I sell rocks
我没有罪，我只是卖钻石
It feels good puttin' money in your mailbox
把钱放到你的信箱，那感觉很爽
I love payin' rent when the rent is due