Paper Moon
Ken Colyer's Jazzmen 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
Ken Colyer's song "It's Only A Paper Moon" speaks about the importance of believing in a relationship. The first verse and chorus of the song speak about how the world can sometimes seem "fake" or "phony," but it can be real if someone believes in it. The imagery of a "paper moon" and a "cardboard sea" suggests that things can seem superficial, but they can take on a deeper meaning if someone puts their faith in it. The second verse and chorus follow a similar theme, highlighting the importance of love and how it can change someone's outlook on life. The bridge speaks to the idea that without love, the world can feel like a "honky-tonk parade" or a "melody played in a penny arcade," both of which are examples of places that can seem insignificant or meaningless without someone to share them with.
Overall, the song encourages listeners to believe in the potential of a relationship and to see beyond the surface-level appearance of things. The repetition of the phrase "If you believed in me" underscores this message, emphasizing that it takes both partners to make a relationship work. Ultimately, the song reminds us that although the world may seem fake or superficial at times, the power of belief can make it feel real and meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
Let me be clear - this dream I'm referring to is just a fantasy
Sailing over a cardboard sea
It's a false world that doesn't really exist, like a boat made out of cardboard sailing across a fake sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
This fantasy could be real if you only believed in it
If you believed in me
If you trusted that what I'm feeling is genuine
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
The sky may look real, but it's really just a painted backdrop
Hanging over a muslin tree
The tree is just a prop with a fake fabric hanging from it
Without your love
If I don't have your affection
It's a honky tonk parade
Life becomes a noisy, chaotic spectacle
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Everything turns into a cheap imitation of the real thing, like a song played on a coin-operated instrument
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world is like a circus, full of tricks and illusions
Just as phony as it can be
Everything is fake and insincere
It's phony it's plain to see
I'm fully aware that this dream is false and has no substance
How happy I would be
Despite the artifice, I would truly be content if you were with me
If you believed in me
If you shared my belief in this fantasy
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind