It's Only A Paper Moon
Bobby Shew 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

Bobby Shew's song "It's Only a Paper Moon" is a classic love song with a whimsical twist. The song describes a magical world that only exists in the imagination of two lovers who believe in each other. The paper moon sailing over a cardboard sea and the canvas sky hanging over a muslin tree are just illusions, but they become real when the two lovers believe in each other. The song is a tribute to the power of love and imagination, and how they can create a world that is more beautiful and fulfilling than reality.


The lyrics are full of metaphors and wordplay that add depth and meaning to the song. The honky-tonk parade and melody played in a penny arcade represent the emptiness and meaninglessness of life without love. The Barnum and Bailey world is a reference to a famous circus, suggesting that life can be a spectacle or a show that is entertaining but ultimately fake. The song is an invitation to believe in love and to create a world where love is the only reality.


Line by Line Meaning

Say, it's only a paper moon
Let's not pretend that the world is perfect


Sailing over a cardboard sea
The world is fragile and can easily break


But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, things can change if you believe in something


If you believed in me
You can find comfort and peace through trusting someone else


Yes, it's only a canvas sky
The sky is simply a painted backdrop


Hanging over a muslin tree
Nature is an illusion, a set piece


Without your love
Without someone to share it with


It's a honky tonk parade
Life can be meaningless and unfulfilling


It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Life can be repetitive and dull


It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world is a circus, full of illusions


Just as phony as it can be
Everything is a facade


But it wouldn't be make-believe
But we can change our perception


If you believed in me
By relying on someone else to help us see things differently


It's phony it's plain to see
We need to recognize the truth of the world


How happy I would be
But we also need to find happiness and meaning within the chaos


If you believed in me
By trusting someone else to help us find it




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, S.A. MUSIC, 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
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