(m. riperton e. brown r. rudolph)

Ill tell you a story about love and its glory
Of how when youre true to your heart youll 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 theyd marry

Itsa lonely world my children
Youve got to do the best you can
If youve found a chance to love
Youd better grab it any way you can

Young mayas father
Decided his daughter
Should marry a man with lots of money
She begged and she pleaded
Aliya she needed
Now mayas crying on her wedding day

Its a lonely world my children
Youve got to do the best you can
If youve found a chance to love
Youd 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