It's Only A Paper Moon
Arne Fogel Lyrics
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Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging 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 in 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 believed in me
Say, it's only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in 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 believed in me
It's phony it's plain to see
How happy I would be
If you believed in me
Arne Fogel’s song “It’s Only a Paper Moon” appears to be a simple tune about make-believe, but upon closer inspection, this song embodies a deeper meaning. The lyrics use the imagery of a paper moon sailing over a cardboard sea, and a canvas sky hanging over a muslin tree; illustrating the concept of a make-believe world that is only real if you truly believe it to be.
The singer suggests that the world is just like the illusion of a Barnum and Bailey circus, which is full of artificiality and hollowness. The song implies that true happiness can only be achieved by a belief in something or someone, and in this case, the singer is pleading with a lover to have faith in him. Without that love, life becomes a honky-tonk parade, and nothing more than a melody played in a penny arcade.
The lyrics are heartfelt, and the innocence of the song resonates with listeners. It is a simple love song that expresses the importance of belief in oneself and one's partner. "It's Only a Paper Moon" reminds us of the power of imagination and the importance of hope in achieving happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
Let me tell you, this world is like a fake paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
The world is an illusion, like a pretend moon floating over a make-believe ocean
But it wouldn't be make-believe
But if you believed in me, it could be real
If you believed in me
If you trusted and had faith in me, this world could be real
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Admittedly, the world is like a painted sky made of cloth
Hanging over a muslin tree
And above us is a fake sky, draped over a weak tree trunk
Without your love
But without your love, it's like an unfulfilling experience
It's a honky tonk parade
It's like an obnoxious parade of music and noise
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
A simple, cheap tune played in a cheap arcade
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The reality we perceive is like a circus, full of fake wonderment
Just as phony as it can be
This world, just as much as the circus, is entirely phony
It's phony it's plain to see
It's quite evident how phony this world is
How happy I would be
But if you believed in me, how blissful we could be
If you believed in me
If you just placed your trust in me
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind