Lyrics:

(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 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's a lonely world, my children - you gotta do the best you can;
If you find 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 gotta do the best you can;
If you find 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, him scooped up the bride from
The place where she stands at the ceremony...
The minister backed up, the father, he cracked up!
Groom, him fell down to the ground on his knees...

It's a lonely world, my children - you gotta do the best you can;
If you find a chance to love, you'd better grab it any way you can...

Go on, Aliya! Carry your bride!
Take her where the sky meets the sea...
Go on, Aliya! Ooh, hoo, hoo, hoo..
Ooh, ooh, hoo, hoo, hoo...

I'll tell you a story about love and its glory;
Of how when you're true to your heart, you'll be free...