It's Only A Paper Moon
Michael Civisca 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 Michael Gray & Pearl Django is a love song that is also about the power of belief. The lyrics suggest that life is like a paper moon sailing over a cardboard sea, just like how all the make-believe aspects of a world can be just like a Barnum and Bailey world that is entirely fake, except if it were believed. Each verse paints a very different picture with its imagery, going from a paper moon and canvas sky to honky-tonk parade to Barnum and Bailey world. The song suggests that none of these things are real, just illusions, but the power of belief makes everything possible.
In the chorus, the song seems to be reflecting how without that love, even the fake and illusionary things do not seem alluring, be it a melody played in a penny arcade or a honky-tonk parade. The singer is hopeful that if the person he is singing to can believe in him, then everything will become magical and much more meaningful. The song is universal and transcends its age and era, and it continues to be considered a classic tune that infuses silly optimism with a nod toward wisdom.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
Let me explain that this world is not real and everything that we see is just an illusion.
Sailing over a cardboard sea
This cardboard sea is like an unreal sea, which is not possible, but it exists only in our imagination.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
But, it becomes more real, if you believe in me and share your life with me, then it creates a real-life experience.
If you believed in me
If you trust me, and have faith in me, then let us embark on this journey together, and we will make everything possible.
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Even the sky that we see is not real but, it is just like a canvas painted by an artist.
Hanging over a muslin tree
The tree is not real, but it exists only in our mind, and our emotions give it life.
Without your love
If you are not with me, then I am incomplete and lost.
It's a honky tonk parade
It's like a noisy and aimless parade, without any purpose.
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
It's like a tune played in an old-fashioned coin-operated music machine, which is just for entertainment and not genuine emotions.
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
This world is like a circus, full of illusions and fake performers.
Just as phony as it can be
The world is a fake and unreal place, and everything that we see is just an illusion.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
But, it becomes more real, if you believe in me and share your life with me, then it creates a real-life experience.
If you believed in me
If you trust me, and have faith in me, then let us embark on this journey together, and we will make everything possible.
It's phony it's plain to see
The world is a fake and unreal place, and everything that we see is not genuine.
How happy I would be
But, if you love me and trust me, then it will make me happy, and we will create our world of happiness.
If you believed in me
If you trust me and have faith in me, then let us embark on this journey together, and we will create a world of happiness.
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: BILLY ROSE, E.Y. HARBURG, HAROLD ARLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rivaridge7211
Michael is great - I enjoy listening to him anytime.