It's Only A Paper Moon
Geoff Keezer Trio 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's Only A Paper Moon" by the Geoff Keezer Trio is a classic example of a jazz standard that has held its popularity for more than eight decades. The song opens with the line, "Say, it's only a paper moon, sailing over a cardboard sea," which creates an air of whimsical absurdity. The lyrics of the song talk about a world that may not be real or tangible, but could be made so if only the person believed in the other person's love. The song also talks about a world that may seem phony, but it could be real if there's love.

The lyrics refer to a paper moon, canvas sky, muslin tree, honky-tonk parade, and a penny arcade. These phrases make a big reference to a world built from fake and cheap materials, but these materials could still be real and make-believe for people in love. The song is trying to convey a message that love can make any unreal thing appear real in the eyes of the beholder. Therefore, it urges the listener to believe in the power of love and how it could give life to anything real or not.

Line by Line Meaning

Say, it's only a paper moon
I know it seems unreal

Sailing over a cardboard sea
Moving along a man-made ocean

But it wouldn't be make-believe
It could be real

If you believed in me
If only you had faith in us

Yes, it's only a canvas sky
The sky is just a painted illusion

Hanging over a muslin tree
Suspended above a fake landscape

Without your love
My life would be empty and hollow

It's a honky tonk parade
A carnival without any happiness or joy

It's a melody played in a penny arcade
A simple tune in a cheap entertainment venue

It's a Barnum and Bailey world
A circus-like universe of fakery

Just as phony as it can be
As fraudulent as possible