It's Onlu Paper Moon
Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald 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 Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald is a jaunty, upbeat number that speaks to the power of belief in oneself and one's relationships. The lyrics invoke the imagery of fantasy and make-believe, with a paper moon sailing over a cardboard sea and a canvas sky hanging over a muslin tree. The central message of the song is that while the world may be full of deception and illusion, true love and self-belief can make even the most phony situation feel real.
The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the line "Say, it's only a paper moon" acting as a kind of refrain that is repeated throughout. The idea of a paper moon sailing over a cardboard sea is an image of something that is clearly not real, but the singer argues that it wouldn't be make-believe if the listener believed in them. The second verse builds on this idea, with a canvas sky hanging over a muslin tree. Once again, the idea of a fake sky is present, but it is made to feel real through the power of belief.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
Acknowledging that everything perceived may be an illusion
Sailing over a cardboard sea
The fragility of the world and its impermanence
But it wouldn't be make-believe
The reality of things can be altered
If you believed in me
The power to change reality lies within oneself
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
The sky is a canvas that can be painted with different colors and emotions
Hanging over a muslin tree
Nature can be transformed into something new and beautiful
Without your love
Emphasizing the importance of a significant other in one's life
It's a honky-tonk parade
Life can be dull without love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Love adds color and music to life
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world can be a circus-like place
Just as phony as it can be
Life can feel fake and artificial
But it wouldn't be make-believe
Just because something seems fake, it doesn't mean it can't be real
If you believed in me
Believing in oneself can make the impossible possible
It's phony it's plain to see
Acknowledging the artificiality of life
How happy I would be
Expressing the desire for a love that makes life worth living
If you believed in me
Once again emphasizing the power of belief
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: DAVID E SHAW, PETER F STUART, RANDY EDELMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MariliaKatie
Say, its 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
@meghanakataria5815
I never feel a thing is real
When I'm away from you
Out of your embrace
The world's a temporary parking place
Mmm, mm, mm, mm
A bubble for a minute
Mmm, mm, mm, mm
You smile, the bubble has a rainbow in it
Say, its 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
@joeldomkus828
its so sad they don't make songs like this anymore, this is perfect
@rententobi3852
I wish they did 😭. I'm like 13 and I love this type of music. ❤️
@joeldomkus828
cece gomez I'm 13 as well :D it's a shame more people our age don't like this type of music
@hipsterdoofus1026
I don't think she needs the vocal group behind her.
@emlynperry8265
They do. You just have to go find them. ;)
@natkobitz893
THE GREATEST FEMALE VOCALIST EVER. And in an era of many terrific female singers
@JuanLopez-fw4ty
Indeed my friend, who you do?
@raoufzdn
Beautiful Ella gives us every word pristine and vibrant sailing over the silken line of her beautiful voice. A lovely performance, great male ensemble and instrumental accompaniment. Perfect performance.
@libertygiveme1987
I've been singing this song for the PAST TWO WEEKS!!!! Can't get it OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!
@lyraferret
My Mom used to sing this song all the time
Love it!