Abbie studied classical flute growing up, but once she started playing Dobro in 2004 she found her main instrument. She traveled to Lyons, CO and Nashville, TN to study with Rob Ickes and Sally Van Meter. Left to her own devices, without many Dobro influences near NYC, Abbie continues to develop her style by listening to other instrumentalists, such as David Rawlings, Ry Cooder and Bonnie Raitt. Always keen on following the vocal part and trying to find the one really perfect note, instead of a dozen okay ones, Abbie is quickly compiling an extensive discography of recording credits.
She recorded three full-length albums and one EP with Red Molly, the last of which spent several weeks in the Top 10 on the Radio & Records Americana Chart (Spring 2010). In 2008, She released Bad Nights/Better Days a duo record of original material with Anthony da Costa. The album was featured on WFUV’s top 2008 album lists and has been described as a work of staggering emotional power. (Acoustic Live! in NYC, 2008)
Abbie’s first full-length recording, My Craziest Dream is an album of jazz standards featuring her father on piano. It earned her an entry in the 2009 Hal Leonard book The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide and she continues to perform with her father, whenever possible.
Abbie has a strong throaty voice that’s reminiscent of Wesla Whitfield’s… she uses it to render evergreens from the 1920s and 1930s with a crew of guys who play like they were around when this music was the cat’s pajamas. (Cadence Magazine, June 2004)
Her 2006 release Honey on My Grave was her first independently released CD of mostly original music spanning varied genres with consistently strong Dobro, guitar, and vocal performances. (Chronogram, 2006)
Abbie has been recognized as an award-winning songwriter, as well, with such accolades as; 2008 Lennon Award Winner (folk) for “The Mind of a Soldier” and 2008 American Songwriter Magazine Grand Prize Lyric Winner for “I’d Rather Be”. Her song “Honey on My Grave” was also published in Sing Out! Magazine in 2008.
Abbie continues to tour with Red Molly, currently promoting their third full-length CD James. Her latest solo CD “Hope” will be released in April 2011. It features 8 new original songs, 3 covers and three different types of slide! See the shows page for updates on the CD release tour with Craig Akin on upright bass and Abbie on dobro & National Steel guitar.
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It's Only A Paper Moon
Abbie Gardner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hanging over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make believe
If you believe in me
It is only a canvas sky
Sailing over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make believe
Without your love
It's a honky tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played
On a penny arcade
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make believe
If you believe in me
Without your love
It's a honky tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played
On a penny arcade
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make believe
If you believe in me
The song "It's Only A Paper Moon" by Abbie Gardner is a beautiful and nuanced composition that speaks to the impact that belief and love can have on one's perception of reality. The lyrics use a metaphorical representation of the world to suggest that life can feel empty and fake, but with a connection to someone, that reality can become significant and fulfilling.
The song's opening line, "It is only a paper moon, hanging over a cardboard sea," creates a vivid image of a fake and meaningless world. The second verse continues this metaphor, with "It is only a canvas sky, sailing over a muslin tree," emphasizing the idea that reality is artificial and hollow. However, the chorus introduces the idea that belief and love can change this perception. The lines "But it wouldn't be make believe, if you believe in me" highlight that there is an importance in having someone to believe in, as it might make the meaningless world real.
The final verse includes the lines "It's a Barnum and Bailey world, just as phony as it can be, but it wouldn't be make believe if you believe in me." P.T. Barnum and the Barnum and Bailey Circus, known for their elaborate shows and "freak" performers, reinforce the idea that reality is theatrical and fake. However, the singer reassures that having someone to believe in can make that reality feel significant.
Line by Line Meaning
It is only a paper moon
This moon is nothing but a paper prop set up in the sky.
Hanging over a cardboard sea
The sea that stretches out below the moon is nothing but a flimsy creation of cardboard.
But it wouldn't be make believe
Despite its artificiality, the scene could still become a reality if one person truly believes in it.
If you believe in me
If you have faith in me, then the world that exists in my imagination has the potential to come to life.
Without your love
In the absence of your affection and support,
It's a honky tonk parade
life takes on the garish, loud, and unrefined atmosphere of a carnival.
It's a melody played
Everything has a discordant quality, like an unpleasant tune being played.
On a penny arcade
It feels like watching a poorly-made show in a cheap amusement park.
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world is like a circus show with exaggerated and fake attractions.
Just as phony as it can be
Everything is as insincere and counterfeit as possible.
But it wouldn't be make believe
Even if the world appears fake and insincere, it could still come to life if one person truly believes in it.
If you believe in me
If there is someone who has belief and faith in me, my imaginative world could still become a reality.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., S.A. MUSIC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: BILLY ROSE, E. Y. HARBURG, HAROLD ARLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind