(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