How Can You Tell You Got It Lyrics - Soul, David

I was sailing in the Carribean
When I found myself in Puget Sound
I never was a real good sailor, anyhow
Then I ran into Island Saga
Who told they only give in love
All the people in the tribe get together
And they give it all away

People handing out beads and blankets,
People handin' out food and booze,
People dealin' in carabao, both new and used

Such an unfamiliar sight to see now
Not your customary holiday,
All the people in the tribe get together
And they give it all away
And they say...

How can you tell you got it
If you don't ever give it away?
How can you tell you got it
If you don't ever give it away?
You know, there ain't no doubt about it,
Was a crazy thing to say... (to say)
How can you tell you got it
If you don't ever give it away?

(Hey!... who let him in here?)

Around the corner came an island maiden
Who said some things I could not understand
So I stood there, like a total cretin
With my heart in hand

She took me walkin' by the foamy water
And we lay beneath a dug-out canoe
She gave me such a good translation
That I gotta pass it on to you
And she said...

(Hey, Louis, come on over here listen to this guy, he's alright)
(Harry, I'm stuck on the phone and the operator won't give me my dime back)
(Ain't Miami Beach a wonderful place?)
How can you tell...

One more time...

How can you tell you got it
(I don't know if I wanna try this one)
If you don't ever give it away?
How can you tell you got it
(Let somebody else take it, here I wanna give it away)
If you don't ever give it away?
(Alright let's go for another one, huh)

(Help!) (Louise?) (Help!)
(Come back here Louis, listen to this guy, they're almost done with the record)
(But I want you to hear as much as you possibly can, ya know)
(Help!)

Words and music by David Soul