Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ah-ah-ah

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

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, ooh-ooh-ooh

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, ooh-ooh-ooh

Ah-ah-ah-ah, ooh-ooh-ooh
Ah-ah-ah

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, ooh-ooh-ooh

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

Ah-ah-ah-ah, ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
I'll tell you a story about love and its glory, ooh, ooh, ooh
Of how when you're true to your heart, you'll be free, ooh-ooh-ooh

Copyright: MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Writer(s): Edward Brown, Minnie Riperton, Richard Rudolph