Jefferson's last recorded performance was at the Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase in Chicago. His band at that performance was Richie Cole (alto sax), John Campbell (piano), Kelly Sill (bass) and Joel Spencer (drums). The performance was released on video by Rhapsody Films.
Tragically, Jefferson was shot and killed outside of a Detroit nightclub two days later at age 60. This was part of a tour that Jefferson was on with alto sax man Cole and their opening night in Detroit was at the legendary Baker's Keyboard Lounge. A jazz club that was built in the 20's and has played host to everyone from Dexter Gordon to Sonny Stitt. Eddie Jefferson was gunned down on his opening night at Baker's on May 8th 1979. He left the club with fellow band leader, Cole around 1:35 a.m. and was shot while walking out of the club. A late model Lincoln Continental was spotted speeding away from the scene, whose driver was later picked up by Detroit police. He was later identified as a disgruntled dancer that Jefferson once worked with and had once fired from a gig. The suspect did not have enough evidence to be held in jail and was later acquitted.
It's Only A Paper Moon
Eddie Jefferson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 lyrics of Eddie Jefferson's song "It's Only A Paper Moon" revolves around the idea of how things can be perceived as false or fake, but if one believed in something or someone, it could be real. The song begins by describing a “paper moon” sailing over a “cardboard sea.” These lyrics imply that what we see in life can often be deceptive, like a paper moon or cardboard sea. However, the lyrics suggest that if someone truly believes, it can still be real. The song repeatedly emphasizes that it “wouldn’t be make-believe if you believed in me." The singer is trying to convince someone to trust and believe in him, to look beyond the superficial and embrace what could be real.
The lyrics also compare love to a honky-tonk parade and a melody played in a penny arcade. These references suggest that love can be not just a passing fancy but a true, deeper feeling that can provide joy and hope even amid difficult circumstances. The song's final lyrics reiterate this point, stating that “It’s phony it’s plain to see / How happy I would be / If you believed in me." Here, the singer is expressing his desire for his love to believe in him and to have faith that what they have is genuine.
Overall, this song conveys a message of hope and the power of belief. It suggests that even though there is dishonesty and fake things in the world, those things can be real when we believe in them. It is a reminder that sometimes, we need to look beyond the surface to find what is true and that believing in someone can make a difference.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
I am aware that the things I see as precious are mere illusions.
Sailing over a cardboard sea
These illusory things are transient and weak, existing in a false world.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
But these illusions would become a reality
If you believed in me
If you had faith in me.
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
This world is an artificial fantasy.
Hanging over a muslin tree
Hanging from a flimsy support that can crumble at any moment.
Without your love
Without your affection and support
It's a honky tonk parade
The world is chaotic and full of meaningless noise.
Without your love
Without your affection and support
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
The music of existence is bleak and soulless.
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
This world is like a circus, a shallow performance.
Just as phony as it can be
As hollow and false as it can ever become.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
But these illusions would become a reality.
If you believed in me
If you had faith in me.
It's phony it's plain to see
It's obvious that this world is false.
How happy I would be
I would be exceedingly joyful
If you believed in me
If you had faith 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