It's Only A Paper Moon
George Shearing Trio 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 George Shearing Trio's song "It's Only a Paper Moon" is a classic tune about the power of belief and imagination. The lyrics describe a world that is far from perfect, a world that is full of cardboard seas, canvas skies, and muslin trees. The verses suggest that these things are only make-believe and are not real, but the chorus turns this notion on its head by saying that it wouldn't be make-believe if the person listening to the song believed in the singer. The singer suggests that the world is only phony if you let it be, and through the power of belief, even the most humble objects can be transformed into something magical.
The song's chorus is particularly powerful, as it suggests that belief has the power to change one's entire perspective on life. Without love, the world is a honky-tonk parade, a melody played in a penny arcade, and a Barnum and Bailey world. However, with love, these things are not phony, but rather real and beautiful. The song suggests that believing in someone or something can make all the difference, and that life is what you make of it.
In conclusion, the George Shearing Trio's song "It's Only a Paper Moon" is a timeless classic that celebrates the power of belief and the imagination. The song's message remains relevant today, as it reminds us that our perspective on life is shaped by what we believe, and that the most humble objects can be transformed into something magical if we allow ourselves to believe in them.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
I acknowledge that this world might seem unreal or fake, like a paper moon sailing over a cardboard sea.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, this world wouldn't be a fantasy or just a dream if you had faith in me, if you believed in what we can achieve together.
If you believed in me
This is the crucial line that demonstrates how important trust and belief are in achieving something, in this case building a world of our own.
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
This world might seem like it's made of cheap materials like canvas and muslin, and the sky might seem painted on, but we can create something meaningful and lasting with it.
Hanging over a muslin tree
It's just like the sky is hanging high over a tree made of muslin, suggesting that what is holding this world together, including our love, might not be very solid or real.
Without your love
This line expresses how the absence of love can turn even the most beautiful things into something bleak or mundane.
It's a honky-tonk parade
Even a parade with loud music and colorful floats would feel empty and meaningless if there is no love in it.
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
The image of a penny arcade suggests a place where people kill time, and a melody played there would not hold much significance without love.
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The reference to the famous circus duo known for their grandiose and sometimes fake performances emphasizes the idea of a world that is often illusory or fake.
Just as phony as it can be
This world might be hollow and fake, but it's not beyond redemption, as we can create something authentic and meaningful out of it.
It's phony it's plain to see
Once again, the lyrics stress the superficiality and fakeness of this world that surrounds us.
How happy I would be
The last line hints at the artist's desire to find happiness, which can only be achieved through believing in love and building something meaningful together.
If you believed in me
The same refrain from earlier is repeated, reminding us that everything depends on trust and faith, both in oneself and in others.
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Boney
Shearing was among the best!