It's Only A Paper Moon
Brian Carrick 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
The song "It's Only A Paper Moon" by Brian Carrick is a romantic ballad that describes how imagination and belief can transform everyday life into a magical world. The lyrics create a whimsical atmosphere by comparing reality to fantasy, using vivid imagery to paint a picture of a world that is full of wonder and possibility. The opening lines of the song introduce the idea of a paper moon sailing over a cardboard sea. The moon is not real, it is only a prop, but it can be made real through the power of belief. The singer is urging the listener to suspend their disbelief and join him in this magical realm.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more sentimental, with the singer expressing his need for the listener's love. Without his lover, the world is dull and lifeless. He compares life without love to a honky-tonk parade and a melody played in a penny arcade. The use of these metaphors underscores the monotony and artificiality of life without love. The song concludes with the singer pleading with his lover to believe in him, and if she does, they can create a magical world for each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
Let me tell you, this is just a fake world
Sailing over a cardboard sea
As I cruise over this world that's made of nothing more than thin cardboard
But it wouldn't be make-believe
This world may seem fake, but it would be real
If you believed in me
If only you could have faith in me
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
This sky above us is just a sheet of fabric
Hanging over a muslin tree
Suspended in front of a muslin backdrop
Without your love
If you aren't with me
It's a honky tonk parade
Everything just becomes a big parade of noise
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Like the upbeat songs you'd hear in an old arcade
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
This world is nothing but one big circus show
Just as phony as it can be
And everything here is completely fake
But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, if someone were to believe in me
If you believed in me
If you trusted in me
It's phony it's plain to see
It's obvious that this world is nothing but fake
How happy I would be
But everything could change
If you believed in me
If only you trusted me
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