(M. Riperton  E. Brown  R. Rudolph) 

 



I'll tell you a story about love and its glory 

Of how when you're true to your heart you'll be free 

Picture a tropical paradise 

Folks just like you and me 



A young girl called Maya 

Was loved by Aliya 

A young man who came from a poor family 

As they grew older 

Aliya would hold her 

Together they dreamed of the day they'd marry 



It'sa lonely world my children 

You've got to do the best you can 

If you've found a chance to love 

You'd better grab it any way you can 



Young Maya's father 

Decided his daughter 

Should marry a man with lots of money 

She begged and she pleaded 

Aliya she needed 

Now Maya's crying on her wedding day 



It's a lonely world my children 

You've got to do the best you can 

If you've found a chance to love 

You'd better grab it any way you can 



Picture a tropical paradise 

Folks just like you and me 



Down come Aliya 

And scooped up the bride from the place 

Where she stands at the ceremony 

The minister backed up 

The father, he cracked up 

The groom, him fell down to the ground on his knees