It's Only A Paper Moon
Club Casablanca Lyrics


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It is only a paper moon
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
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

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

Overall Meaning

The singer of Club Casablanca's song, "It's Only a Paper Moon," is acknowledging the artifice and illusionary nature of the world. The image of a paper moon over a cardboard sea highlights how many things in life are not as they seem. However, the singer suggests that it is possible to find genuine connection and meaning despite this facade. They sing, "But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believe in me." Here, the singer offers a remedy to the artificiality of the world. They suggest that by placing faith and trust in another person, they can transcend the inauthenticity of their surroundings.


The song continues with the lyrics: "Without your love, it's a honky-tonk parade" and "It's a melody played on a penny arcade." These lines further emphasize the hollowness of life without love and partnership. The singer's use of metaphorical language adds depth to this idea by contrasting the beauty of a painted sky with a muslin tree. It is worth pointing out that the chorus repeats the line, "It's a Barnum and Bailey world" - a reference to the famous travelling circus. This reference elevates the notion of the world as a performance. The circus is not only an entertainment spectacle, but it is also a metaphor for life's many shows and illusions.


Line by Line Meaning

It is only a paper moon
The moon hanging above us is a mere paper cutout.


Hanging over a cardboard sea
It is suspended above a fake sea made of cardboard.


But it wouldn't be make believe
However, this illusion would become real and true.


If you believe in me
If you have faith in me and what I represent.


It is only a canvas sky
The sky we see is merely painted on a canvas backdrop.


Sailing over a muslin tree
It moves over a fake tree made of muslin fabric.


Without your love
In the absence of your affection and devotion,


It's a honky tonk parade
life becomes a wild and rowdy carnival procession.


It's a melody played
A tune is being played,


On a penny arcade
in a cheap and tacky amusement park.


It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Our world is like a circus show,


Just as phony as it can be
and everything in it is fake and artificial.


But it wouldn't be make believe
Yet, it could still become truthful and genuine,


If you believe in me
if you trust in me and have faith in our love.




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
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