(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




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