It
Bert Kaempfert Lyrics


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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

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

Overall Meaning

The song "It" was written in 1932 by Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg, and Billy Rose. It has since been performed by many artists, including Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, and Ella Fitzgerald. Bert Kaempfert's version of the song, released in 1968, features a smooth jazz instrumental and the lyrics sung by a vocalist. The lyrics speak to the power of belief and imagination in making things seem real.


The first verse describes a paper moon sailing over a cardboard sea, which is a metaphor for something that is not real. However, the singer insists that it could become real if the person listening to the song believed in them. The second verse similarly describes a canvas sky hanging over a muslin tree. The imagery is intentionally false and fantastical, yet the singer insists that if the listener believed, it could be made real.


The chorus is a repetition of the idea that without love, everything is superficial and meaningless, represented by a honky-tonk parade or a penny arcade melody. The song ends with the singer wishing that the person they are singing to would believe in them, emphasizing that the power of belief can make even the most fake and phony things seem real.


Overall, "It" is a song that celebrates the power of belief and imagination. It encourages listeners to see beyond the surface and find meaning in their dreams and fantasies. The song's message is timeless, and its simple melody and lyrics make it a classic that has been loved for generations.


Line by Line Meaning

Say, it's only a paper moon Sailing over a cardboard sea But it wouldn't be make-believe If you believed in me
The moon is just made from paper, and the sea from cardboard. But if you trusted in me, it wouldn't be fake. It would be real.


Yes, it's only a canvas sky Hanging over a muslin tree But it wouldn't be make-believe If you believed in me
The sky is made of canvas and the tree from muslin. But if you had faith in me, it wouldn't be imaginary. It would be true.


Without your love It's a honky tonk parade Without your love It's a melody played in a penny arcade
If I didn't have your affection, life would feel empty and unfulfilling - like a low-budget parade or a repetitive song played in a cheap 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
The world can seem like a circus, full of fake things. But if you had trust in me, it wouldn't be just pretend. It would be genuine.


Say, it's only a paper moon Sailing over a cardboard sea But it wouldn't be make-believe If you believed in me
The moon is just made from paper, and the sea from cardboard. But if you trusted in me, it wouldn't be fake. It would be real.


Yes, it's only a canvas sky Hanging over a muslin tree But it wouldn't be make-believe If you believed in me
The sky is made of canvas and the tree from muslin. But if you had faith in me, it wouldn't be imaginary. It would be true.


Without your love It's a honky-tonk parade Without your love It's a melody played in a penny arcade
If I didn't have your affection, life would feel empty and unfulfilling - like a low-budget parade or a repetitive song played in a cheap 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
The world can seem like a circus, full of fake things. But if you had trust in me, it wouldn't be just pretend. It would be genuine.


It's phony it's plain to see How happy I would be If you believed in me
The world can seem like it's full of fake things - that's obvious. But if you trusted in me, we could be happy together.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, S.A. MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@MARCOSBENETOLI

Afrikaan Beat -
A Swingin Safari -
Black Beauty -
That Happy Feeling -
Games People Play -
Sweet Caroline -
Let Me Be There -
Never My Love -
I Love You How You Love Me -
To Know Him Is To Love Him -
Touch The Wind (Eres Tu) -
Spanish Eyes (Moon Over Naples) -
Auld Lang Syne -
Besame Mucho -
But Not Today -
Echo In The Night -
Magic Moments -
Moon Over Baja -
No A Go Go -
Only Those In Love -
Sentimental Journey -
She Lets Her Hair Down -
The Most Beautiful Girl -
Time To Love -
Yellow Bird -
Island In The Sun -
Red Roses For A Blue Lady -
Blue Midnight -
Feelings -
I Found My Love -
Ive Gotta Be Me -
Strangers In The Night -
The Way It Used To Be -
Fascination -
Love Me Tender -
My Prayer -
My Way -
Blue Moon -
Heres My Life -
Morgen -
Someone -
La Vie En Rose -
Wonderland By Night (Wunderland Bei Nacht) -
Baby Elephant Walk -
Happy Trumpeter -
Jump In The Line -
Put Your Hand In The Hand -
Tijuana Taxi -
Patricia -
Wimoweh -



All comments from YouTube:

@MARCOSBENETOLI

Afrikaan Beat -
A Swingin Safari -
Black Beauty -
That Happy Feeling -
Games People Play -
Sweet Caroline -
Let Me Be There -
Never My Love -
I Love You How You Love Me -
To Know Him Is To Love Him -
Touch The Wind (Eres Tu) -
Spanish Eyes (Moon Over Naples) -
Auld Lang Syne -
Besame Mucho -
But Not Today -
Echo In The Night -
Magic Moments -
Moon Over Baja -
No A Go Go -
Only Those In Love -
Sentimental Journey -
She Lets Her Hair Down -
The Most Beautiful Girl -
Time To Love -
Yellow Bird -
Island In The Sun -
Red Roses For A Blue Lady -
Blue Midnight -
Feelings -
I Found My Love -
Ive Gotta Be Me -
Strangers In The Night -
The Way It Used To Be -
Fascination -
Love Me Tender -
My Prayer -
My Way -
Blue Moon -
Heres My Life -
Morgen -
Someone -
La Vie En Rose -
Wonderland By Night (Wunderland Bei Nacht) -
Baby Elephant Walk -
Happy Trumpeter -
Jump In The Line -
Put Your Hand In The Hand -
Tijuana Taxi -
Patricia -
Wimoweh -

@wimbas1196

Mooi

@argentinapodesta7160

BELLISIMA. MUSICA ES. UN. PLACER. ESCUCHARLA. GRACIAS .GRACIAS . 😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

@ec8787

Thank you for naming these wonderful songs. ❤️

@carolchoquette8858

My youth. The best of times. Thanks for the memories.

@serahkahuri3641

Bert's swinging safari brings back so many memories that i will treasure all my life.

@carlosbarraza8154

Muchísimas gracias por compartir música hermosa e intérpretes talentosos.

@josealvarado1220

Bonita música y sin comerciales fastidiosos, gracias y felicitaciones

@estebanescarez3226

Best definition of SMOOTH and wonderful orchestral music. Kudos Herr Kaemphert!

@carlofernatti9144

Thaks for sharing this beautiful music !

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